Quick Hello

Hi, there.  Just a very brief (too brief!) note to say hello.  It's been a busy return-to-normal for me after spending Thanksgiving with my family in Florida.  I hope that you had a lovely holiday, too, however you celebrated.  This is not a "real" post, I realize, but I hope to deliver one of those, or a Friday link update, at the very least, to you by the end of the week.

I leave you with a YouTube stream of Above & Beyond's studio album, Group Therapy.  It combines tendencies that are trance-y and club-worthy (which I happen to enjoy, but admit the obnoxio-value :) with those that are graceful and a little melancholic.  I've been listening non-stop for the last several days.

See you soon. xx

(Image of Albrecht Dürer's violets via WikiPaintings.)

The Very Best Turkey Advice and Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Whether you are celebrating or not, I want to wish you a happy day with people you love, a few quiet, reflective moments, and delicious food.  Two things that I am always thankful for are food (Surprise!) and comic relief.  This brilliant video by Mary Risley, of Tante Marie's Cooking School, combines food and humor with a healthy dose of practicality.  Mary's message for those who are experiencing turkey-induced stress:  Relax!  And grab the pinot noir.  :)

Mary says that one way to approach the turkey is to put it in the oven and go for a walk.  If you'd like to follow more detailed instructions, though, she also provides those here.

Have a fantastic few days, friends.  I'll see you back here next week.  xoxo

(Image by Tante Marie's Cooking School via YouTube.)

Fresh Cranberry Relish

With Thanksgiving sneaking right up on us (Tomorrow!), I wanted to share with you a favorite family recipe that usually appears around this time of year.  It's a raw cranberry relish that combines tart cranberries with bright citrus and sweet apple.  All of the ingredients are chopped, so, with some electric assistance, you can prepare the recipe in a snap.

Until just yesterday, I'd always thought that this cranberry relish was one of my grandmother's recipes.  Turns out, the dish made its way to my family via my aunt's good friend, P.  See P.'s recipe and hilarious notes below.  I've added just one comment, in brackets.

OK - Here goes. It's better if it can sit overnight. Mine is already done and on the porch!

You need: 4 cups of fresh cranberries (two bags and you'll have leftover - feed the birds or decorate your wreath), two navel oranges, one large red apple (not Delicious), 1 1/2 cups of sugar. 

Grate peel of one orange into large bowl. Peel and remove pulp on both oranges. Cut into chunks. Core and quarter unpeeled apple; cut into half inch pieces. Wash and sort cranberries. Chop cranberries and oranges in food processor.* [Be sure to pulse the food processor, rather than running it continuously, to avoid ending up with a slurry.] Add to apple and grated orange rind. Mix in sugar and let set in refrigerator (or similar cold place) overnight.

*Before the Food Processor came into my life, a task that now takes 20 seconds, took a cup of scotch and 3 1/2 hours cutting up all those cranberries. By the time the scotch was gone, I couldn't even catch the little buggers. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all.

A nice alternative to jelly from the can, right?  :)  (Don't get me wrong, the jelly has its place.)  Enjoy!

(Image via Eliza Domestica.)

The Square

Last week, I was lucky to attend a screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary The Square.  The film, named for Cairo's Tahrir Square, captures pivotal moments in Egypt's revolution and modern history in an intelligent, emotional, and aesthetically beautiful way.  Director Jehane Noujaim and her team began filming in early 2011, just before the protests that toppled the Mubarak regime, and they continued filming through June of this year -- because the situation in Egypt continues to evolve, they weren't sure when to stop rolling.  In its very first frames, The Square made me feel nostalgic for Cairo, where I lived for three years before coming to D.C., and for my dear friends there.  Whether or not you have a personal connection to Egypt, though, the film is a captivating must-see.

The Square will arrive in select U.S. theatres in January, so mark your 2014 calendars, please, and plan to see the film if it plays near you.  Otherwise, you can request or organize a screening (Details appear when you hover over "Screenings" on the website.) or find it on Netflix, also beginning in January. 

(Image by Noujaim Films via the Los Angeles Times.)

Yousuf Karsh at the National Portrait Gallery

Select works from Armenian-Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh are now on view at the National Portrait Gallery, following a gift of 109 photographs from Karsh's widow, Estrellita, to the museum. The Gallery will show the Karsh gift in two installations.  The first, Yousuf Karsh: American Portraits, includes photographs of notable Americans.

I wanted to share with you some of Karsh's work, including pieces that don't appear in the current Portrait Gallery exhibit. (Like the one immediately above. Disclaimer!)  Karsh's portraits focus on notable figures in society, including entertainers and policy-makers, so you may recognize some of these images.  See more after the jump.

Le weekend est arrivé!

It's been a super busy, fly-by week here.  One highlight was seeing the excellent documentary The Square, which I'll tell you more about next week. (Bottom line: See it as soon as you can.)  What will the weekend hold for you?  I hope it's a good one! xox

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I really loved this Newshour piece featuring poet Naomi Shihab Nye.

Hand-etched wooden spoons would make a great cold-weather craft or holiday gift.  I can just imagine them sticking out of the tops of stockings at my house.

A kind of awesome foray into green lipstick, including tips for wearing an emerald pucker.

Gorge metallic leather coasters, maybe as a hostess gift?  Or house-warming?  Or for yourself, just because?

Have you ever made potato roasties?  This Middle East-inspired recipe calls for the addition of tart sumac.

Nicholas Nixon's beautiful series of annual photos capturing four sisters over nearly forty years. 

This Facebook status generator is hilariously accurate. 

Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!  Taste it tonight at the Embassy of France.

Kitties and cute men together are as great as you think they will be.

A list of D.C. bars and restaurants with fireplaces.  They left out the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton lobby, which serves s'mores on weekend evenings around 6. 

(Image via Design Sponge; lipstick link via The Cut; Beaujolais tip via Eater DC.)

Not a Gravy Boat

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you may be settling on your menu.  Since part of meal planning (especially this level of meal planning) is figuring out how to deliver all that food to your guests' plates, you also may be settling on which serving bowls, platters, and utensils to implement on the day of.

Which brings me to an all-important question: How do you plan to serve your gravy?

Dinner for Friends

The weekend before last, I had some sweet friends over to my house for dinner.  Normally, I eat pretty simply at home.  We're talking one- or two-pot meals that are tasty, frequently thanks to my spice drawer's vibrant contributions, but wholly unfussy.  So it's nice to compose something a little more special for guests once in a while.  Stars at this meal, apart from dear friends, laughter, and lovely conversation: a no-fail roasted chicken, herbed roasted potatoes, green salad, and baked apples with ice cream.

Click through for the details!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

How was your week?  Mine was busy and good.  I continued on my bluegrass/country music kick, and ended up falling further in love with Blake Shelton.  Yes, I know that he's taken.  But, with songs like this one, he can't help but make me swoon.  My goodness gracious. 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  I'll see you back here next week.  xox

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Ten D.C. delivery and take-out pizzas to try.  I can vouch for Pete's (Sit on their patio in Friendship Heights if the weather's nice.) and Angelico.  And jumbo slice.  :)

Mystery-flavored Dum Dum lollipops, demystified.

Swiss artist and scientist Fabian Oefner uses gravitational forces to manipulate paint, then takes high-speed photographs to capture the result.  See his process here.

These gold leafed shell salt cellars (a mouthful!) would make pretty gifts for the holidays.

The annual Cheap Art Sale D.C., offering pieces for less than $50, is happening this Saturday in Mount Pleasant.

Oh!  And there's a phenomenal concert happening next weekend at the Kennedy Center.  The American Voices Concert will feature Renée Fleming, Alison Krauss (!), Josh Groban, and other national treasures.  Unfortunately, only the fanciest tickets are available at this point, but if you have two hundred bucks kicking around and an open dance card for Saturday, November 23, then I think that I just helped you nail down some plans.  :)

(Image by Serge Leblon for Elle, via Fashion Bomb Daily.  Lollipop link via Cup of Jo; Fabian Oefner link via Laughing Squid; Cheap Art tip via B.)

D'Orsay Flats and Friends

I'm in the market for a new pair of flats.  A favorite pair of black ones bit the dust, and I begrudgingly tossed them yesterday.  Their demise was mostly my fault, not just a result of the tough love that I tend to give my footwear.  Suede, soaked pavement, and long walks to the Metro do not mix, guys.  As if you needed reminding. :) 

Good thing for me, and for you, if you are also in the market for new flats, there are tons of gorgeous options out there right now.  Lots of styles embody both sass and sophistication, thus offering day-to-night and work-to-play versatility.  The cut-out d'Orsay style is still enjoying its moment, but other pointed-toe varieties are notable, too.

The top image shows these strappy d'Orsay flats.  The image just above shows the following pointy pairs, clockwise, from top left: metallic cut-out slippers, black d'Orsay flats, snake-embossed ballet flats, striped snake d'Orsay flats, and pointed flats with Mary Jane detail.

What do you think?  Have you worn the d'Orsay style, or would you? 

Alison Krauss and My New-found Bluegrass Love

After hearing Alison Krauss's Country Music Awards performance with Taylor Swift last week, I have been on a major bluegrass and folk music kick.  Pandora to the rescue: My newest station is influenced by Ms. Krauss and Sara Evans, with a dose of Sarah McLachlan.  The result is a revolving selection of songs with strong vocals, string instrumentation, and stirring melodies and lyrics.

My music tastes vary pretty widely.  Previous favorite Pandora stations have featured Australian electro-pop bands Sneaky Sound System and Empire of the Sun, flamenco-soul singer Buika, and hometown hero Tom Petty.  This new station takes me back to my North Florida roots, while speaking to my current stage in life, which has been marked by transitions that call for personal reflection.

Anyway, I thought that it would be nice to share new-found, unexpected favorites with you.  Click through for a few choice performances.

Have a Happy Weekend!

Hi, friends.  What will you be up to this weekend?  I am taking the opportunity to enjoy a little staycation, relaxing at home and maybe enjoying a dinner with friends.  Hope that you have a lovely few days ahead.  xox

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I walked by Barcelona, a new tapas restaurant on 14th Street, last weekend.  It is gorgeous.  Like, I might want to move in.  Strong Yelp reviews, too.

Alternatively, if you are in Madrid (Some of you are!), you may like to check out Marta Argüelles's exhibit at La Portegna's store in el Barrio de Salamanca next Thursday.  Find details on La Portegna's Facebook page.

Not Martha's hilariously suspenseful Kinder Egg A Day series.

Products to keep your winter boots and shoes looking new.

What to expect from Game of Thrones's fourth season.  Gulp.

I have been listening to this throwback on repeat since hearing Alison Krauss's CMAs performance the other night.

The robin's egg color of this sweater is refreshing. 

Why isn't there a filtering water pitcher (Looking at you, Brita.) as pretty as this carafe?

I'll play my Native Southerner card and say that D.C. still needs good barbecue.  Here's hoping that DCity Smokehouse delivers.

A whole lot of delicious uses for cinnamon.

(Image is Urbano 12 by Marta Argüelles.)

Isabel Marant for H&M

Isabel Marant's collaboration with H&M launches next week amid murmurs of approval.  (Find U.S. and Canada stores offering the collection here.)  Isabel tends to produce clothing that is a bit edgier than my typical fare, but this collection combines straight-forward staples with items that would give some pizzazz to less punky wardrobes.  Standouts are the pieces (of which there are many) with abstract, neutral prints.

It's not clear to what extent natural fibers will feature in the collection, but hopefully we'll see plenty of longer-lasting cotton and silk blends, rather than H&M's go-to polyester, viscose, and rayon.  This may be wishful thinking on my part, but a girl can dream.

See the best of the bunch after the jump. . . .

Whiskey Cider

The Halloween party that I attended last weekend was hosted by my friend, B., who is multi-talented.  Beyond being eminently kind and funny (I could go on!), he possesses a serious gift when it comes to creating delicious food and drink.  For the party, B. served a wonderful hot spiced (and spiked!) cider.  When I asked B. for his whiskey cider recipe, hoping to share it here, I had a hunch that he had just thrown the thing together, following his nose and trusting his palate.  I turned out to be right.  B.'s recipe follows.

Flattered that you want to blog about the cider! I'm afraid there was no recipe, it was sort of a last minute concoction before running to assemble my costume. I had two big pots and basically filled each with cider 1/2 - 2/3 of the way, in order to leave room for the booze. I used 2 gallons of cider total. My roommate had an old mulling spice packet - it was primarily cinnamon/sugar and a little nutmeg - which went into one of the pots, mostly just to use it up. I then did my own thing with both of them, which was approximately the following (very approx.):

- 2 tsp cinnamon (less in the pot that had gotten the mulling packet) 

- Some freshly ground nutmeg (we have a grinder, which is awesome), maybe 1/2 tsp

- a few shakes of ground clove

- freshly ground pepper, maybe 1/4 tsp in each, just to warm things up a bit

- orange oil/extract, 1/4 tsp maybe

- orange blossom water (the kind from the Middle Eastern bakery), a very small drizzle

That's all sitting in a big pot on lowish heat. At some point I dropped a couple ladlefuls into my blender with a couple decent sized knobs of fresh peeled ginger, blended completely, then poured it back into the pots. You could also just grate it in - or use powdered ginger I suppose ;-)

Once everything gets to be hot and start steaming, I threw in maybe a couple tablespoons of honey and stirred to make sure it didn't just sit at the bottom and burn.

Then, after the Cider is well spiced and I'd tried it out on its own, I added Old Overholt Rye Whiskey. Again, not exactly to each pot, but in sum the proportions were about 40% Rye, 60% Cider. You could use your favorite bourbon here, too - I might have, but Old Overholt is sort of a secret gem, by far the most drinkable by cost of any whiskey in my opinion. (I happily drink it neat and it's $16 for 750 mL in Col Hts, so I got 3 bottles for the price of one higher end bourbon.) A little Cointreau would certainly have been a good addition, but I didn't have any.

Then just cover it on really low heat or turn it off and wait for all your costumed guests (and party crashers) to arrive!

This stuff would be so lovely to try if you have a holiday gathering around the corner.  And, the recipe is adaptable, based on your preferences and available ingredients. 

Thanks for sharing, B.!

(Image via bon appétit. Check out their take on whiskey cider here.)

Have a Lovely Weekend!

Hi, friends.  I'm waiting for some big news, and my nerves are at about a 22, on a scale of 1 to 10.  Needless to say, I am looking forward to the weekend and unwinding a little.  Tomorrow, I'm having dinner at a French place that I haven't been to in a while, which should be nice.  Otherwise, I'm expecting a pretty quiet weekend.  Will you be working through your Halloween treats, or maybe you've got something special lined up for Saturday, too?  Whatever this first weekend in November brings you, I hope it's good.  xox

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Banksy just wrapped up a month-long "residency" in New York with a graffiti-like tag, made from Mylar balloons and installed on the side of a warehouse.  See all of the recent NYC pieces here.

Uniqlo may be coming to D.C.  Fingers firmly crossed.

This clip of a dad lip-syncing his daughter's tantrum had me in stitches.

Beauty bloggers have been buzzing about this pressed powder, which gives you a glow as if you were in the most flattering light.

A nice interview with one of the men who you likely will see behind you bar if you stop into Off the Record any time soon.

Classic pieces for a fool-proof fall outfit.  (I'd say that combining neutral pieces made from natural fibers is a fool-proof approach to dressing year-round. :)

If you're looking for a sweet weekend project, this brown butter apple pie looks like a delectable option.

(Lip-sync video via Little White Lion.)

Happy Halloween!

For a few years, Frida Kahlo has been on my mind as Halloween costume inspiration.  I decided to take the plunge this year, when portraying Frida turned out to be the easiest of my choices!  The only things that I bought to complete the costume were red lipstick and false eye lashes. 

Click through for instructions and a more complete look at the costume. . . .

Dog Halloween

Leave it to our friends in New York to implement, with characteristic wit, one of the best Halloween ideas ever: the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.  This was the parade's twenty-third year!  Inherent canine humiliation aside (And they must be having a little fun, don't you think?), what a bright, joyful, and totally hilarious event.  These little guys are such troopers, it kills me.



Click through for more pups in costume. . . .

Everyday Ballerina

Lots of pretty, everyday tulle skirts popped up on Pinterest over the weekend.  I found the tutu-like skirts to be unexpected, elegant, and subtly theatrical.  A multi-layered tulle skirt may not the best choice for a day at the office,* but it could be just right for dinner out or a party.  Here in D.C., we still have a few weeks of moderate temperatures that will allow shorter skirts to be a not-completely-crazy wardrobe option, especially when worn with a blazer or denim jacket. 

This is actually a two-piece ensemble.  The top is a matte silk shell.  Heavenly. 

The military-inspired olive coat adds nice contrast to the super-feminine blouse and skirt. 

Water-colored tulle from Anthropologie. 

More cable-knit with creamy tulle, which appears wrapped around the waist, rather than gathered into pleats. 

A lacy, more formal version from Anthropologie.

And here's an embroidered, beaded version in black.  Great for an evening out or a holiday occasion later in the season.  Oh, my. 

What are your thoughts?  Would you wear a tulle skirt for work or play?  What top and accessories would you add to the look to make it work for you?

* Or it may be!  And, if it is, then let's talk.

(Images, from top to bottom, via The Sartorialist; Fanfaronada; To Wander and Marvel -- and an apparently phantom Etsy store, sorry; Anthropologie; Pamela Koenig; Anthropologie; Anthropologie.)

Have a Spooky Weekend!

Switching gears a bit: Halloween, OMG.  I'm going to a party this weekend.  I figured out my costume, which took a 180 from the idea I was planning on when I updated you last week.  If I muster up the courage, I may share a snapshot or two next week.  :) 

What are your plans for the weekend?  Will you be dressing up and going out, or staying toasty at home?  In any case, I hope you have lots of reasons to smile this weekend.  Here are a few bits and pieces from the web that I thought you'd enjoy.  xo E.

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One hint as to my costume: it involves this lipstick, which is the perfect strong red (more orange/brown than blue in the undertone department) and very emollient.  I never really have been one for bright lip color, but am kind of excited about this.

If you have a pug to dress up for Halloween, here are a few hysterical ideas.

If you still need to figure out what to wear, these are some imaginative ideas.

Here are a bunch of DIY fall craft ideas that will keep your creative juices flowing post-crazy costume.  Start collecting those fallen leaves now!

I made a variation of this thyme-roasted sweet potato recipe last week, and yum.

Cleveland Park eatery Palena will transform its current café space into a coffee shop concept, serving coffee and fresh baked goods in the morning and moving into lunchtime fare at midday.  It's not clear whether the café will continue to offer dinner service, but let's hope it does.

Google Maps now show D.C. Metro lines.  Cool, huh?  The quirks mentioned in the link seem to have been fixed.

Here is a smooth, sexy tune from Spanish crooner Pablo Alborán.  If you like what you hear, try this one, too (The video gives a glimpse of my old stomping ground in downtown Madrid.).  And this one.  The sentimental lyrics brought a lump to my throat.

(Image from Apartment Therapy via House Beautiful; Palena tip via Eater; craft ideas via swissmiss.)

Highlights from Bridal Market Fall 2014: The Long-sleeved Gowns

It's time to take a look at our last group of beauties from Bridal Market: the long-sleeved gowns.  (I'm using "long-sleeved" loosely.  For our purposes, "long-sleeved" means anything longer than short-sleeved, so elbow-length, and beyond.)  I mentioned one princess yesterday, and I'll mention another today: Kate Middleton.  Kate brought the concept of long-sleeved bridal gowns, a constant favorite of European royal brides, into the mainstream mindset.  Since Kate wore her bespoke gown, by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, we've seen other celebrity and royal brides make similar sartorial choices.  Recent examples are the Luxembourger royal brides, who both wore long-sleeved Elie Saab gowns on their wedding days: Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie in 2012, and Princess Claire just last month.

Given the impact of Kate's gown and the elegance inherent to this style, I was disappointed not to see more long-sleeved offerings in Bridal Market.  Hence today's short post.  Not all of the major designers show at Bridal Market, though, so we may see more awe-inspiring long-sleeved looks as additional Fall 2014 collections roll out.  Which may inspire an update from yours truly.  We'll see.  :)

Our first gown, above, by Monique Lhuiller, is a beautifully-executed take on a relatively standard long-sleeved look.  I say "standard" because this isn't an uncommon approach to the long-sleeved bridal gown, but it is really hard to go wrong if this is your standard.  You'll note clear similarities between this gown and the gowns of Stéphanie and Claire, mentioned above: closely tailored bodice (though the one above seems more structured), full skirt, delicate mesh lace sleeves, and impeccable detailing.  Further, when a dress fits like this, you win all around.

Next is a gown that you may remember from Monday's post.  (That was a bit of a teaser, no?  Were you waiting to see this one again? :)  This darling from Naeem Khan's collection is a twenty-first century bridal update of an early 1900s European peasant dress.  And the bead work on the bodice bears notable resemblance to the Danish Princess Alexandra's tiara.  I could say more, but you might prefer to judge for yourself:

Nicole Miller showed a nice long-sleeved option, below.  This gown doesn't try to do too much.  It is a straight-forward, slightly Bohemian style that delivers a heavy dose of romance.  Noteworthy details are the shape of the v-neck and the pool of lace at the hem.  Personally, I'd shorten the sleeves to just above the wrist or, perhaps, to the mid-forearm. 

We close our discussion of long-sleeved gowns with this one from Reem Acra.  Lace appliqué is placed over a beige-colored bodice and  layers of sheer tulle.  The color of the lining and the sheerness of the skirt lend a buoyant, alluring fragility.

What are your thoughts on the long-sleeved gowns?  Is this a look that you'd choose for yourself? 

There you have our review of Bridal Market Fall 2014.  I hope that you enjoyed these highlights as much as (or more than!) I did.  

And, if you're just tuning in, check out our reviews of the strapless, sleeveless, and short-sleeved gowns! 

Highlights from Bridal Market Fall 2014: The Short-sleeved Gowns

Welcome back to our round-up of best looks from Bridal Market!  Today, we review the short-sleeved and cap-sleeved gowns, which made for quite a lovely collection.  Short sleeves have not been a terribly popular choice for brides in recent years, but they offer a simple primness for a look that tends to be more pretty and romantic than it is sophisticated or glamorous.  See the wedding gown of Princess Madeleine of Sweden, designed by Valentino Garavani -- Yes, that Valentino -- as a notable example.  If the pretty-oriented, short-sleeved wedding gown becomes a phenomenon, then we may have Madde to thank. 

Moving on.  Our opening pick above, by Reem Acra, stood out among the short-sleeved offerings.  It is one of the more sophisticated designs we'll see today, with generous jewel embellishment around the ballet neckline and a broad A-line skirt.  It's shown here with a sparkly belt, but substituting a narrow band of matching white fabric or ribbon may serve to nip in the waist without interrupting the flow of color from bodice to hem.  My two cents.

A few of the short-sleeved looks went far in the "pretty" direction.  The platinum-hued gown below, from Naeem Khan, has an off-the-shoulder cap-sleeved blouson and is tied with a bit of ribbon at the waist.  It's a peasant-like look for the Bohemian bride. 

Marchesa gave us another belted gown with a ballet neckline.  Beautifully gathered and draped chiffon fans out into an elegant train.  The star, though, is the beaded and embroidered mesh bodice, characteristic of Marchesa's eye for ornate detail. 

Here we have quite a powerful look from Naeem Khan.  It feels fit for Athena; silver-clad, yet feminine.  I could see Michelle Obama, a fan of Khan's, wearing this gown or a more pigmented version of it.

This is a stunner from Monique Lhuillier.  Lace flower capped sleeves appear rooted in the structured, bow-shaped bodice, but they actually are affixed to a barely visible illusion panel that covers the décolletage.  What a graceful, interesting look, and one that likely would flatter various body types.

Monique Lhuillier also presented a more playful gown, below.  The combination of floral lace with gridded embroidery lends a patchwork quality to the piece.  Notice, too, how the placement of the grid pattern creates an hourglass shape, enhancing the middle.

Reem Acra contributed two all-lace gowns.  They use the same sheer lace material, layered over nude lining, and are virtually identical from the waist down (No complaints here.).  The first gown features a deep, wide v-neck, and a capped sleeve that lays a bit like a petal over the edge of the shoulder. 

The second all-lace Acra gown has a high bateau neck, and therefore a more substantial sleeve.  It's finished with a chain-link motif jeweled belt.  (I have to comment on the marabou headpieces, which drive me crazy and may distract from Ms. Acra's brilliant work, especially the more daring looks, in the eyes of some consumers.  Even from a different angle, they're just a bit odd.) 

 

What was that about Reem Acra's daring looks?  Here's another one for you.  (And, again, lining would sort out the bare navel situation in a jiff. :)  This woman appears to have emerged from the tides, bringing sea foam and star dust as she comes.  The gown is the most glamorous of the short-sleeved selection, by a long shot, and I would not be surprised to see it, probably in color, on a Hollywood starlet once awards season arrives. 

What do you think?  Would you say "yes" to one of these short-sleeved dresses? 

Tomorrow, our final (!) installment of Bridal Market reviews: the long(er)-sleeved gowns.  See you then!

Highlights from Bridal Market Fall 2014: The Sleeveless and Tank-style Gowns

 

In today's installment of our week-long re-cap of Bridal Fashion Week, we'll look at sleeveless and tank-style gowns.  This style is probably the least "on-trend" of the styles we'll review this week.  Sleeveless bridal gowns are something that you just don't see too often.  From my eye, this makes sleeveless gowns feel the freshest of the lot.  Especially the gowns with true tanks -- those with inch- to two-inch-wide straps and scooped or squared necks.  The true tank-style bodice is a rarity in bridal, but, as we see here, it can hit "effortless and chic" right on the nose.

The stand-out Monique Lhuillier sheath gown below, featured earlier this week, attests perfectly to this. The smooth, unfettered curve of the neckline is a design element that's reminiscent of a casual knit top, but, applied in bridal, it reflects sophistication and restraint, on the parts of both the designer and the wearer, perhaps.

The next two gowns interpret square-necked tanks.  The Reem Acra gown below, which would be lined, obviously, for normal wear, takes my breath away.  The feathered accessories distract from the well-balanced pairing of the ethereal, filigreed top with the banded, flowing skirt.

This look from Monique Lhuillier offers whisper-thin pleats of chiffon, layered over sparkly beading and sequins.  It's a clever riff on last season's floor-length sequined number.

Another textbook tank-style gown is the bias-cut, charmeuse gown.  A rather uncommon look these days, but a classic, if not entirely easy to wear, style that would be nice to see more of.  This one is from Elizabeth Fillmore.

 

Two selections from Monique Lhuillier are especially gracefully executed renditions of the sleeveless, v-neck, lace gown, which is such a romantic look and understandably popular.  Here, layered lace and embroidery, with the tiniest hint of beading, create visual depth.  

This one has a barely visible illusion panel covering the deep v-neck and an unexpected tulle train. 

A few boat-necked styles appeared on the runways last week.  Nicole Miller gave us another successful take on the mermaid silhouette.  First, the key design elements are all quite beautiful on their own.  Second, the beaded top balances the outgoing mermaid shape (tail?).  It works because, while the tail is wide, it's a continuation of the fabric used in the body of the dress.  There is no awkward change of fabric at the knee.  The result is a very red carpet-ready dress that would befit a bride aiming for a high glam factor.

This Christos gown is so pretty, with a sort of no-fuss feel that seems suited for spring or summer (even though this was Fall 2014 Fashion Week, I know.).  Ruched point d'esprit is layered over an uncomplicated whale-boned bustier and gathered into a gently voluminous skirt.

Naeem Khan brought us two crew-necked, sleeveless pieces, adorned with his characteristically thoughtful embellishment.  This one, slightly Grecian, with bejeweled geometric detailing, may be another for our Art Nouveau bride.

Head-to-toe embroidery is classic Khan.  The motifs here are similar to those found in Indian embroidery, while also strongly referencing patterns common to Islamic art.

We'll close with this look from Theia.  The dress does not thrill, despite its pretty shape.  I'd like to bring attention to the look, as a whole, however, and, specifically, to the divine impact that a floor-length veil can achieve.  It's like something from the Enchanted Forest, come to life, which is a less-than-ridiculous vision for a bridal look, if you ask me.  

There you have our round-up of sleeveless and tank-style gowns from Bridal Market.  Which is your favorite?

Tomorrow, we'll review the short-sleeved looks!