Highlights from Bridal Market Fall 2014: The Overview

I stumbled upon live tweets from Fall 2014 Bridal Fashion Week when I was updating my Twitter account to reflect the changes around here.  Before I knew it, down the rabbit hole I had fallen (or dived?), finding myself beneath a sky-high pile of tulle, lace, and illusion panels galore.

The thing about bridal, if I'm being candid, is that it can go really wrong.*  At the opposite end of the spectrum, bridal can be painfully (and boringly) safe.  The sweet spot is a place in the middle, where a gown, or a comprehensive look, does one of two things: It is both timeless and visually interesting, or it successfully throws classicism out the window.

I'll focus on the former approach, though honorable mention goes to Houghton for killing it in the Defenestration of Classicism category, also known as I Do What I Want.**  Those dresses defy traditionalism, but they represent a commendably strong point of view.  My hunch is that East Side Bride and her readers will jump on that wagon fast.

One way to achieve the timeless-yet-interesting duality is to combine a simple, classic silhouette with more complex, possibly modern details.  Luckily for brides-to-be, the Fall 2014 bridal collections offer many, many successful takes on this approach.  While reviewing the collections, I spotted more stars than could fit reasonably in a single post.  So, this week we'll have a little bridal-themed series, with each post dedicated to this season's most stunning interpretations of a classic bridal bodice/neckline shape: strapless, tank, cap sleeves, and longer sleeves.***  I won't even identify my absolute favorites; the selection will just be my picks for the best of the bunch.

Stay tuned!  And be sure to share your two cents in the comments!

*Either in the moment, or twenty years later.  We all remember the beach ball-sized puffed sleeves of the 1980s.

**Beyond this South Park reference, there are still less polite, more edgy ways to describe this category, which I feel the creators of Houghton might appreciate, but which some readers might not.  Here I defer to the more delicate sensibilities among us.  :)

***Why not categorize by dress or skirt shape, you ask?  Well, because, personally, I'm more intrigued by necklines, and it seems that we are moving past the point (finally) where strapless is the only acceptable or readily available bridal neckline.  Variety in neckline or bodice shape seems to achieve the classic-but-interesting duality more effectively than variety in dress or skirt shape.  Getting overly creative with skirt shape can move a wedding gown into costume territory quickly.  Illustrative of this point are exaggerated takes on trumpet/mermaid skirts and the billowing, multi-tiered ball gowns with sort of tufted skirts.  We can do better, ladies.

(Top image from Monique Lhuillier; bottom image from Naeem Khan.)

Have a Relaxing Weekend!

Busy, busy it's been around here.  For me, the weekend will involve friends and finalizing my Halloween costume.  Till now, it's been just an idea (a very simple one :), so it's time to assemble the pieces and determine details.  I'm looking forward to the fun, low-fuss project, which may evolve into something with more pizazz than originally planned.  We'll see....

What are you up to this weekend?  Whatever your plans, I hope you have fun and enjoy browsing a few bits from around the web.  xo

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A dating site sees a spike in D.C. activity, thanks to the federal shutdown.

Local chefs look forward to new players in the District's restaurant scene.

Graphite drawings that the artist says are the product of "daydreaming and keeping track of it."

I found these German chocolate-glazed gingerbread cookies in the grocery store, and they are SO delicious.  Maybe a little early for the holidays, officially, but the delicate warmth of the spice is so lovely for fall.

Quirky DIY kids' Halloween costumes that will make you giggle.

I may be coming around to the idea of the heeled bootie.*  A refined ankle makes all the difference.  These and these and these pass muster.

A slouchy silk sweater that looks like it would be nice to live in. 

Would you order a custom-blended lipstick? 

This gnocchi looks like a hearty, indulgent weekend meal.

For the Why Didn't I Think of That? file: apple cider sangría.


*Yes, I know that they have been a thing.

(Image via The Editorialite, gnocchi recipe via Epicurious on Pinterest.)

Wardrobe Essentials

Wanted to give you a heads-up on quite an amazing sale at Banana Republic -- 40% off of almost everything in the store, including lots of fall staples for work and play.  If you need to stock up on autumn essentials, this is not a bad time to do it.  I had been on the hunt for camel-colored wool slacks (not the easiest task, given that the vast majority of heavier-weight, office-friendly trousers are offered in black, navy, and grey) and was thrilled to find these.

And, Kate Middleton style watchers may be interested in this belted coat, which appears strikingly similar to (albeit shorter than) the Max Mara coat that was re-named for Kate after she wore it.

The sale ends today and applies to in-store and online purchases. Find the sale code here.

(Images via Banana Republic.)

Arrival of Fall

Quick little note to wish you a great week.  Fall weather is upon us in D.C., and the pumpkins and gourds are coming out! After a summer dedicated to bar exam study (i.e., LOTS of time indoors, missing out on summer sun and heat), I felt a little cheated by the fall season's quick approach.  But I had forgotten how lovely a brisk chill, and the accompanying opportunity to cook up a storm of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, can be.  After spending a great Sunday afternoon in Georgetown yesterday, I'm ready to welcome fall with open arms.

Happy (Rainy) Weekend!

Apologies for the light posting this week.  Things got busy!

One highlight worthy of special mention is happy hour at BLT Steak.  The place always seemed to fade into a particularly non-descript block of I Street, so I'd passed it by many times before I stopped in this week.  It turns out that BLT achieves the dark, cozy steakhouse vibe without being stuffy.  Think dark woods and leather, combined with warm metal accents and beige walls.  I am a fan.  The happy hour menu offers exclusively $5 treats: beer, wine, cocktails, and mini appetizers.  The complimentary trio of snacks (popcorn, olives, and an Asian party mix that seems house-made) may be the real winner and is totally addictive.  Dare I say that it rivals the similar snack trio (olives, wasabi peas, and mixed nuts) at Off the Record?  

Hope you have a great long weekend ahead.  If you are in D.C. or the vicinity, stay warm and dry!  I am expecting a pretty perfect weekend for breaking in my slow cooker, nesting a little, and maybe catching up with The Newsroom.  Here are some bits and pieces from around the web, including a few excuses to get out of the house if you want to brave the drizzle!  xx E.

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Fashion Art Design Georgetown is happening this weekend, and lots of local shops and restaurants are hosting events that look like fun.  The sale tonight at Tari and Saturday night's closing party at Malmaison seem promising.

Washington Post dining critic Tom Sietsema has released his Fall 2013 Dining Guide.  Do you agree with Tom's appraisals?  Three-starred Le Diplomate is one of my favorites.

My weekend cooking adventure may feature something along the lines of the Pioneer Woman's white chili.  You know how I feel about beans.

These evocative photos of abandoned places will transport you.

I love these pointed-toe, half-d'Orsay flats.

Fall beer tasting on Saturday at Politics & Prose.

Russian eatery Mari Vanna's keys-for-VIPs policy gets more interesting.

This song makes me want to shake it all out and jump around.

If you haven't settled on a Halloween costume yet, you may want to consider these hilarious ideas.

Some of Ginnifer Goodwin's pitch perfect (including many fearless) beauty moments.

(Image via Sandy a la Mode.  Abandoned places photos via C., and Halloween costumes via A.)

Long Cardigans

Two (?) years ago, I picked up a long, beige, space-dyed cotton cardigan from J. Crew.  It's one of the open ones, without buttons.  I had not been on the long, open cardigan bandwagon until that point, and, honestly, it was a bit of an impulse buy.*  The piece was deeply discounted at the tail-end of one of J. Crew's big end-of-season sales, so I went for it, though I wasn't really sure how the relationship between that cardigan and me would pan out.**

Two-ish years later, that cardigan and me, we're still going strong.  The cardigan is made from a light-weight cotton, so it's great to wear year-round.  I've worn it with sundresses in the summer, and with jeans and boots in the fall.  It's one of those pieces that I often crave.  For casual occasions, it always just feels right.***  Now that we're on the cusp of cooler weather, I'm thinking about my fall wardrobe and wishing for a heavier-weight version of my beloved space-dyed friend.

Here's a collection of chic-casual long cardigans that might just fit that bill. 

Clockwise, from top left: Grey cardigan with pockets from Anthropologie, Leather (!) detail cardigan from Barneys New York, Oversize open cardigan from AnnaKastle, Grey open cardigan from Massimo Dutti, Camel stole cardigan from Uniqlo, Kimono sleeve cardigan from Zara. 

Do you have any wardrobe staples that always seem to feel right?  I'd love to know. 


*What on Earth was I going to do without buttons?
**Um, hello, it's a beige cardigan made from natural fibers.  I should have known.
***I am a textbook Virgo and feel very comfortable wearing all white and all beige outfits.  If I had to pick one color to wear for the rest of my life, I almost certainly would choose beige, as long as I also had chromatic latitude in accessorizing with scarves and large jewelry. 

(Top image via Polyvore.)

Happy Friday!

My goodness.  What a week.  Instead of a Friday link round-up post (since I sort of did that Wednesday), I thought I'd share the New York City Ballet's serene performance, NEW BEGINNINGS.

From the film's description on YouTube:

"Filmed at sunrise on the 57th floor of 4WTC in lower Manhattan, this short film captures an extraordinary and moving performance of Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a tribute to the future of the city that New York City Ballet calls home."

Hope you find time this weekend for rest and renewal.  x E. 

(Via swissmiss.  Top image via the New York Daily News.)