Friday, March 25, 2011

Man & Woman of the Year (Philly)

This is not at all related to weddings but it is related to awesomeness. My best friend Shortcake is nominated for the Woman of the Year Campaign with the Philadelphia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you want to read more or donate, click here: Man & Woman of the Year (Philly)

Also if you'd like to attend our Prom for ALL in West Chester on April 16 at 7pm, please click here.

And if you want a sweet "Cancer Sucks" button, like this one:
leave a comment below and I will get you one STAT (for a small $3 donation).

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wedding Guest Dress Deals

I really love a good deal, but the one thing I love more than a deal is the hunt for one. It's really satisfying for me to go through racks and track down the best of the best. I spent 2 hours tonight at Lord & Taylor at the King of Prussia Mall outside Philly looking for a dress for my birthday outing in 2 weeks, some cancer benefits in April and May, and later these will be worn to the summer weddings I'm attending. I scored BIG time. I scoured TEN $49.99 racks for most of the time and spent a little time on the 25% off rack. First I found a gorgeous cobalt blue Laundry by Shelli Segal dress with a gold beaded collar, originally $285, got it for $39.99. The collar looks very Cleopatra. (There aren't straps those are just the little hanger guys)

My second steal is a black chiffon JS boutique dress, originally $198, got it for $39.99.
And finally I splurged a little and got this gorgeous Adrianna Papell number, originally $228 for $137.
It has gorgeous aquamarine and pearl beading along the neckline and it's this stunning gunmetal silver color. Love them all! Obviously I'm into beaded collars. And since I never can find any necklaces I like, these dresses take care of that problem for me. I'm really looking forward to wearing my own clothes to weddings for awhile. As much as being a bridesmaid is lovely, I adore being one of a kind - and knowing I paid bottom dollar for my designer duds!

Monday, March 14, 2011

My Apartment Misses Me

In the past 6 weeks I have spent one weekend in my own home. I can't even believe it myself. My travels include 35+ hours in the car, 5 Southwest flights, and use of two subway systems. I have been to St. Pete's Beach, FL for work; spent a night at my dad's house in the Philly Burbs for a family thing; traveled to Nashville, TN for a wedding; hit up Washington, DC for a visit to the alma mater; stopped by my grandmother's in upstate PA for her 89th Birthday; drove the 300+ miles to Pittsburgh, PA to see my lil' sister; and then most recently jetted to Newport, RI for another wedding. Whew! I'm really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed this weekend. I do have some plans to enjoy the St. Patty's Day-ness with the man friend. There is a rumor about a fancy steak dinner! Will report back. Hope everyone has a safe and very green St. Patrick's Day and weekend. Drink some green beer!!!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Bouquet Snagged!!!

I just got home from my friend Caroline's wedding in Nashville, TN and after a lot of hard work and many hours spent planning, a fabulous time was had by all. I wore a fun red full length one shoulder dress (borrowed from my dear friend Alicita) and some great rented jewels from RTR. My necklace and bracelet pictured above are Nicole Miller and the ring, which you can see grasping that bouquet is by Lee Angel - it was super fun to wear! If you want to see the photographer's shots you can LIKE Myrick Studios on Facebook, and click "The Kiesler Wedding" and see me dancing and catching the bouquet and all the other gorgeous details the wedding had to offer. Thanks again go out to Caroline and Doug for letting me take part in their special day.

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Ultimate Gettin' Hitched Mix

I have had a "Gettin' Hitched Mix" in my iTunes library for some time now, but recently I've been beefing it up to a full 4 hours+ for the getting ready process for my friend Caroline's wedding in TN next month. I like to focus on songs about getting married or the idea of "the one." The Bottom Line includes:

I Love You Always Forever by THE one and only Donna Lewis
Love Shack, B 52s
Various Sinatra
Love Story (pop mix), Taylor
Various Tim and Faith
Stuck Like Glue, Sugarland
My favorite Men of Country: Brad, Blake, and Dierks
Little White Church, Little Big Town
Copious amounts of John, Jason, and Train
Peppered by Natasha, Keri, and Joss
Dance tunes by Girl Talk
Hip Hop/Pop Sequence including Bruno, Usher, Beyonce, Justin, and Diddy.

Currently I'm at 56 songs aka 3.5 hours. I'm looking to get to 4 hours for sure, 5 would be spectacular. Write your suggestions in the comments below!!!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Rent the Runway Jewels

I clearly don't have enough to say about this weekend. Today I received a very special UPS delivery of gorgeous AV Max bangles and a pair of Isharya earrings, which I'll be wearing to the Hair of the Dog celebration on Saturday. I borrowed them from Rent the Runway. If you haven't heard of RTR, you should check it out and join immediately. Send me your email and I'll send you an invite (something.blu.eliza@gmail.com). It's free to join, and rental rates are very reasonable, especially for accessories.  Here are pics of what I rented:

My secret is out, I write reminders on my hands.




My earlobe looks funny
I bought this ring to own at Kenneth Cole on sale for $18 earlier this week. Love the stacked look, but it's just one piece.

Nail Polish is OPI for Sephora, Ocean Love Potion
I promise I will post a picture of my total ensemble on Sunday.  Can't wait!!!

Monday, January 10, 2011

My Dry Cleaning Bill

I'm pretty sure my Drycleaner thinks I'm a high class hooker. I've been carting in evening gowns and cocktail dresses in small groups for weeks. I've been rotating them through in groups of 2 or 3 in an attempt to space out the cash. Last week I picked up 3 dresses, a skirt, and a sweater for $50.25. This week I'll pick up 2 dresses and a sweater, I imagine for over $30.00. Trying to get all these dresses I've worn recently cleaned to be put away or others ready to be worn again is expensive! Many of the dresses are ones I have worn to weddings in the past and plan to wear in the future for weddings or related events. One I'll be wearing the the Black Tie Bachelorette this Saturday,  and I wore it to my cousins civil ceremony this past fall. Every time I take a few things in, there are still more left behind. For example, I still have one summer bridesmaid dress that needs cleaning and mending - I ripped a strap reaching for the bouquet, hahaha. Does anyone know any less expensive alternatives to drycleaning for evening wear? I don't trust Dryel for things other then sweaters and dress pants.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Black Tie Bachelorette

Yes, please. On January 15, I will be attending the 2011 Hair O' The Dog Party aboard the Philadelphia Belle Riverboat. I'm pretty darn excited about my outfit, but more on that next week. I'm even more ecstatic about the ladies I'll be attending this party with. This Bachelorette will be celebrated in Caroline's honor and another Something Blu Bride, Shortcake will be in attendance. Other fab friends new and old will round out our pack of the hottest girls at this party. The boys aren't gonna know what hit them.

Now for all you skeptics out there who are balking at the extravagance of a Black Tie Bachelorette I want to set some things right. Every bachelorette party I've been to, I've spent at least $50, and the average is more like $75 to $100 (I won't get into the most I've spent). And this fine and dandy party costs $88 a head, yet it includes drinks for 4+ hours and hors devours, not to mention 2 live bands on two decks and a live DJ on a third deck.  So really it's a steal! And honestly if you're gonna do something, why not do it with style?

Monday, January 3, 2011

Plaid Bridesmaid Dresses???

Now, that's just mean. Don't put your friends in this or this. Puh-lease. I love Alfred Angelo the other 99.9% of the time, but their Style Director has lost her mind on this one. Sorry, but someone had to say it.