Your  wedding day is the only time in a woman's life where she can wear that beautiful classic veil. Though most women want to add a little something extra to their wedding day hair-do. Veils aren't included in this blog, because I wanted to focus more on the accessories that usually accompany the veil. Below I have compiled some of newest trends in hair bling. Looking through one of my favourite websites I decided to chose hair combs, hair pins, and then the more traditional hairbands and tiaras. When looking through photographs of wedding hair styles it is sometimes difficult to see the detail of the pieces that are in the hair. On the other hand it is sometimes hard to picture the pieces in the hair when they are featured alone. For these reasons I have shown each accessory with a photograph of it used in hair. There are quite a few images to look through and inspire you, so I truly hope you enjoy!

All the products shown below can be found at http://www.haircomesthebride.com/09AccessoriesPage.htm

Hair combs are great for a larger sparkle without the tiara look that some brides don't prefer. Combs are great to be placed  on the side a curlier up-do, or above a bun on the back of the head. It has become popular for a comb to be placed at the top of the veil to make it look as though they are almost attached. Whether it is a more compact 'brooch' look, or a flowery piece with rhinestone leaves and vines, a comb is a beautiful way to add a little extra to your look.

Hair pins, or versions of them have been around for years, but seem to be coming back with more modern designs. Pins have only two spokes and so they are most often used in multiples in a looser up-do, though I have shown a few pins that are placed on the side of the head. Crystals, pearls, rhinestones, and cute shapes such as stars and flowers help to make pins a unique way to spice up your wedding hair.

Is there any other day in a woman's life that she gets to be a princess, other than her wedding day? Usually not, and that is why most women take this opportunity to be the dream bride, tiara and all. The crown tiara trend is still prominent for the princess bride or royal wedding watcher, but beginning to fade as brides-to-be are seeking a more modern look. Hairbands get the full look of a classic tiara, but with a more sleep design. The styles included in this blog are a bit of variance in the styles that are available.

In the world of wedding desserts there is the very regular and standard fondant covered tiered cake. This look is classic and very beautiful, but can be incredibly costly. The high cost of weddings causes most brides to be to think outside the box and complete a lot of DIY projects. Though when it comes to the food, most still opt to go with a professional baker. As I have been looking through different wedding photographs and inspirations I have found a few new cake trends that really are fantastic.

*Each photo can be clicked on to be enlarged for a better look.

The trend of cupcakes instead of a cake isn't really all that new, but intricate piping in place of the basic icing swirl is. Below I have shown 4 images of gorgeous piped flower cupcakes that add a little extra beauty to the otherwise plain cupcakes. What I find really great about some of these designs, is that they are actually easy to replicate after a little practise. I am blessed to have a mother that has handmade and decorated every birthday cake for her four children in the last 28 years, and she has been wonderful in teaching me a few techniques. For the average person this piping not be as easy to master, though the final image on the lower right is incredibly basic. Using a star tip and some swirled food coloured icing, that isn't fully blended, some practise on a plate beforehand,  you could be duplicating these scrumptious cakes in no time.

With the trend of homespun crafty DIY weddings, this textured and messing icing look is a great choice. This is a look that could be done by most brides looking to save some money on a professional cake. For anyone who has ever tried to ice a cake before knows, it is very tricky to make the icing perfectly smooth. So why not go to the other extreme and make it look a little messy on purpose? I have included a few different versions of the textured cake look below. I just find something so effortlessly cool about these.

These looks are a bit more difficult for the average person to take on, but are a fresh and modern take on icing decorated tiers. Piped icing decoration on cakes is a classic staple, and on wedding cakes it usually includes draping, dots, and intricate damask patterns. This type of piping is still incredibly popular and when done right absolutely breathtaking, so in no way am I trying to state its out of date or unattractive. I only want to call attention to a few new looks.  I also included the fourth cake to show some beautiful piped flowers that I found and just had to share.

How much more do-it-yourself can it get? I love this homemade look! With this style of cake there is no need to be too neat or have the perfect technique. The process to complete a creation like this is pretty straight forward. Have the layers of cake cut to relatively the same size and be sure to make sure the top of each layer is smooth and level. A whipped icing would work best because it is thicker and the taste isn't too sweet, because each slice tends to have tend to have a lot of icing. Be fun and creative with colour by adding food colouring, fresh fruit, or small decor items like you would with other cakes. This whimsical look is adorable and very easy on the pocket book.

I know that I have severely lacked in continuing to write my celebrity style blogs, and for that I am truly sorry. With the craziness of life it is often difficult to write all the blogs I wish I could. Though after coming across the following images today I just had to share. As anyone who has read my blogs knows, I am a huge fan of Taylor Swift. I love her music, personality, and especially her style. So of course I was thrilled to see that she is the cover for the February edition of Vogue. Please enjoy the photographs below that are accompanied with the article within the months issue. The stylists gave Miss Swift a newer edgier look along with straight hair to make these images just breathtaking

*I do not own the rights to these images

The holiday season has passed and so I am finally able to share some of the crafty gifts I made. There are some that I forgot to take photographs of before I gave them away, but these are the ones I managed to snap pictures of.

These cute hair clips were easy to do and incredibly cheap to make. All feathers (plus a ton more I didn't use) were from a single bag of faux feathers. The pearl beads and the rhinestones were from pieces of jewellery I own that were either broken or no longer worn. A simple hair barrette was used on the back. I covered the barrette with a piece of felt and constructed from that point building up the layers of feathers. I just love the simple glam they can add to loose hair.

In my crafting I made 4 different headbands but am only able to show you 2 for lack of photographs. These particular headbands are the exact same design but 2 different colours. The felt 'rosettes' are each made from a single circle of felt. The circle is cut into a spiral and then cinched and glued into the flower shape. The pearl centres are pearl beads from old jewellery. I enlisted the help of my wonderful sister to help model the different looks on something other than my blonde hair :) 

These cute ribbon and bead bracelets are easy to make once you get a handle on the knots. The bracelets are both made using a macrame knot known as the square/flat knot. This knot only works with a thin ribbon, I used a 1/8" white silk ribbon. The beads I used were, yet again, recycled  from old jewellery.

Within the world of bridal wear there are thousands upon thousands of dresses, with a variety of styles, materials, and prices. The wedding dress is the usually most important fashion purchase in a woman's life and so there is most often a budget that a bride is comfortable to stay within. Have you every wondered what you would get for those budgets though? The possibilities of price within a certain style can vary by thousands of dollars. It is completely dependent of the designer, quality of materials and style. For this blog I wanted to compile a variety of dresses within different price brackets, but with a similar look. It could take hours upon hours to find dresses of the same silhouette that have the same amount of lace, crystal, and appliques, but I have done my best to compare similar designs. I have taken some of the most common popular styles and included 5 of each. The prices range from less than $600.00 to more than $5000.00 and come from a variety of designers. I hope that this paints a picture of what the high price tag can get you, which is usually just a more avant garde design with higher quality materials.
While comparing these dresses I realized that the inexpensive dresses most often appealed to me more than the high end version of the same thing.  It is also fun to think that if the price categories were not listed that it is difficult to tell which design is more expensive. This really does show that more money doesn't always mean a more attractive design and that a dream gown can be attainable for the bride who thought she couldn't afford it.

Enjoy the beauty and feel free to share your thoughts!

(Also if you want a closer look at any of the gowns I have made a gallery at the end of the blog to see larger images)

One of the most important aspects of wedding decor is the flowers. In most cases the bride has her favourite flower picked out because that is what she wants as her bridal bouquet, and thus the decor usually coincides. The origin of a floral bouquet began with ancient Greek and Roman tradition of having the bride and groom wearing circular garlands around their necks. These were made of fragrant herbs and sprinkled with spices that were meant to ward off evil spirits, ill health, and bad luck. As traditions changed and evolved people began carrying bundles and bouquets instead of the wreaths. Then came the Victorian era, where the Queen forever changed the bridal bouquet when she married Prince Albert in 1840.  She clutched a small collection of snowdrops, said to be Prince Albert's favourite flower, surrounded by the normal greenery. Another interesting fact about Victoria, is that she reportedly planted myrtle (a green shrub) in her garden at the Osborne House after the wedding. Since then, it has become a royal bride tradition to pluck a sprig from the same bush and carry it in their bouquets. It was the public use of flowers in the royal bouquet that quickly started the floral trend.

Now, 171 years later that is still the normal dream for brides. Whether silk or fresh, flower bouquets are a timeless tradition. Like most traditions though, some people want to be unique and stand out. Within the last few years, unique bouquets of different natural elements and more crafty materials have made an impact on wedding bouquet design. Do-it-yourself solutions to the bouquet have become popular because the very low price, creative freedom, unique look, and the benefit of  it being everlasting. Below I have collected some of my favourite unique bouquets to share what is happening in the world of weddings.

The biggest unique bouquet trend that I have seen as of late is that of one made of brooches. A brooch bouquet can include many different elements such as fabric, lace, buttons, paper, beads and clips. What I find so intriguing about some these bouquets is the emotional and loving stories attached. I have read of women having brooches that once belonged to a dear Grandmother or Aunt, even a Mother who died while the bride was a child included within the arrangement. This can allow the bride to feel a connection and presence of the people that passed on. These pieces of art are can also be made with such differing styles that it can suit many personalities and wedding themes. Depending on the texture, colour, and size of the elements these bouquets they can be fun and quirky, glam vintage, sweet or edgy. The possibilities are endless!

The more crafty bride may choose to make one of these unconventional but fun bouquets. Some arrangements combine felt, brooches, and buttons, while others are for the majority just buttons. These are very inexpensive to make and are truly one of a kind creations.

In recent years, feather centrepieces have become a popular replacement for the classic flower display. Feathers are also often seen in hair accessories and with birdcage style veils. Most recently, I have found that feathers have moved into the bouquet department. With an abundance of colours, shapes and sizes they can make a normal arrangement into something spectacular. Whether in combination within a conventional floral bunch, or on their own with accented beads a feather bouquet is a soft and elegant choice for an original style.

I have found the trend of lanterns in place of flowers only recently and it is incredibly intriguing. Most DIY arrangements still resemble flowers and the basic shape of a classic bouquet, but this breaks the mold completely. This idea is really thinking outside of the box, but I can imagine how beautiful it could be if the lanterns were glowing at an evening wedding. The image of the sun setting in the background of an outdoor wedding or the lights dimmed with glowing candles inside a church is breathtaking.

With the current green movement and rediscovered love for the outdoors, natural weddings are very popular. Within this theme I noticed a few things that are used: Butterflies, wheat, lavender, and twigs.These are a few different examples of unique nature themed and natural element bouquets I have come across.

There are people throughout history that make such an impact on fashion and pop culture it is hard to measure. When listing some of these people you are completely remiss if the name Audrey Hepburn does not pop into your mind. In my opinion Audrey Hepburn is the first on that list. What is it about Miss Hepburn that has had generations enraptured? She embodies everything that is classic, chic, and honest. There has to be a reason why photographs of her have been put on so many different products, those of which I couldn't possibly list. When describing current style, Audrey Hepburn has become more than just a person, she is an adjective. Who can forget the white and black dress/hat/umbrella that transformed her in My Fair Lady? Her meek black turtle neck, slacks, and ballet flats in Funny Face? And no one can deny that she made the little black dress what it is as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. In saying that, it was not just her costumes and style while playing characters on the 
big screen that makes her an icon, it was how she presented herself day to day. 

Her big doe eyes, porcelain skin, and shy demeanour captured the world, and no one wanted to dare look away for a moment. Miss Hepburn was America's and the world's sweetheart during the height of her fame. So it came as such a shock when she chopped off her hair to the short pixie style. Much like her transformation in Roman Holiday, the cutting off of her hair seemed to allow her to come into her own. While she was a very private person and was often camera shy, she exuded confidence wherever she was. Audrey Hepburn was photographed the world over, and those prints are just as popular if not more so today than the day they were taken. Personally, I have a plaque, calender, mug, journal, a movie poster and more.

As I mentioned earlier, Audrey Hepburn was honest in her style, and by that I meant that she chose to wear what was comfortable. Her personal style came through in everything that she wore whether it was slacks and a knit sweater while at home, or an evening gown to the Oscars. She was never overdone, and that I believe is one of the secrets in getting her 'look'. Simple and timeless pieces in classic lines that flatter the body. Everything that Audrey Hepburn was, in my opinion, was style simplicity in its best form. Below I have included some of my personal favourite photographs of Miss Hepburn that showcase her style and personality.

Different opinions may state that there are more influential, ground breaking, and original people in history, but to me there is none as grand as Audrey Hepburn.  She will forever be a canon of beauty, a legend, an inspiration, and an icon.

After falling in love with the craft of quilling back in October I couldn't wait to receive my official quilling tool and papers! I was using different papers that were just around the house. These included everything from plain white computer paper to thicker scrapbooking card stock. Using these materials did work, but it was incredibly time consuming because I needed to cut the strips before being able to begin. In quilling there are different widths of the paper strips depending on the project. The most common being 1/8", which is what I was replicating in cutting my own. I was elated when my quilling supplies finally came in the mail! I ordered a multi-coloured pack of the papers and the 'twirly-mo-bob'. The actual tool is known as a 'slotted tool', but I just find my name a tad bit more fun.

I have been a little busy with life these last few weeks and haven't been able to experiment as much as I would like to. So this evening I decided to get back to it and create a little something. Below is a flower that took me about half an hour to make. It consists of 6 of the teardrop shape, 1 loose circle, and 3 leaf shapes. I am still getting used to using the actual quilling tool and pinching the paper correctly, but it is surprisingly easy to master. What I find great about this type of crafting is that it is incredibly easy to just make. By this I mean that ones you know the basic shapes and techniques you can create any shape, object, or design. There is no need to follow a pattern or instructions, though there are many available if you are trying to make something specific. Playing with the swirls and arranging them in different ways until something appears to you is just so calming. I speak for myself in this, for I know that not everyone would love to spin strip of paper. But I do hope that anyone reading this just takes some time to pursue there passions and what puts a smile on their face. As an artistic person I love the escape that a craft or piece of art can offer. I personally can just play my favourite music, grab some paper and glue and put my love into the swirling of the rainbow.
Enjoy the little things and get a lil' creative!

After starting to quill yesterday I spent the majority of my day experimenting and creating. Below are the giraffe, snowflake, mittens, and snowman that I finished. I hope to continuing some more designs soon and will post them when completed!

From a very early age I have always loved crafts. This is mostly due to my mother who herself is a very artistic soul. Earlier today the two of us took a trip to a scrapbook festival held in a nearby college gym. A lot of the booths had demonstrations going on and one of these was 'quilling'. For free we were able to try out this amazing art form and make the snowman pin that is shown to the right here. I was hooked instantly! As soon as I was home I began cutting strips of plain white printer paper and experimenting! In just over an hour I created both the butterfly and flower that you also see below. I just had to share this unique technique with the blogging world! Grab some paper and enjoy yourself this rainy weekend :)