Style Alert: Spring Fashion Trend

Shopping for your Spring wardrobe and checking out the open air markets and fairs will leave you with lots of bags to carry.  Don't let your purse be one extra bag weighing you down! Keep shoulders from getting sore and go hands free with a "fanny pack" or "belt purse" because, not only does it help accentuate a narrow waist, but they are extremely versatile and sexy:

APRIL FOOLS!

"Belt Purse"? Seriously, folks? While it's true that fanny packs having been making a comeback and have been recently spotted on the runways, the fact that you need to constantly ask yourself if it's cool or not means that it's probably not. Sure, maybe we secretly think it would be fun and convenient, but it makes walking and sitting kind of awkward and just looks so silly that we would never condone this.  

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day Themes: Butterfly Garden

Springtime brings flowers and flowers require pollination so..bring on the butterflies!  Butterflies are delicate, beautiful, perfect for a whimsical springtime garden wedding. Sure having butterflies adorn your cake and tables is making a truly feminine statement, one that your guy might not be too keen on, but we say go for it anyway and celebrate your inner girly girl!  Go colorful and bright or light and muted, either way your sure to create a carefree and romantic look.

Images from: BHLDN, Saks, Martha Stewart, Neiman Marcus, Celebrity Prom Dresses, Cut The Cake Designs, Recycled Ideas, Nature Favors, Sweet Cookie, Bridal Shoppe, Pink Cake Box, Garden Leaf Design      

XOXO

Jen & Saira

The Big 5-0!

Omg! We just hit 50 followers. Yay!

 Thanks for all your support, dolls!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Winning on a Budget: Fun Fashion

Juliana’s recent post on How To Win Fun Fashion was right on point! Doing something different is the real key. Lucky for us, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.

At my state competition, I borrowed a Sherri Hill dress that retails for more than someone would pay “on a budget,” so once again I lucked out on that one!

For Nationals, I wanted something a little more “special,” but once I had the idea in my head, nothing else would do! I couldn’t find anything that matched what I was picturing, so I enlisted the help of my mom. I designed the outfit, and she tweaked it and actually made the entire thing for me – mostly by hand! MANY hours went into this outfit – thankfully it was the National Fun Fashion Winner!!

My advice is not necessarily to make your own fun fashion outfit to save money, but putting your own spin on an existing outfit is a great way to ensure that no one else will have what you have, and you will stand out!

Find a cocktail dress that you LOVE (and would wear again for an appearance) & add a fun skirt to it. Or find some trendy sequin shorts (I’m sure you can find some inexpensive ones on eBay) & pair it with an interesting top & some FABULOUS shoes! Accessories can also play a big part in this, but that is for another post!

I loved the idea of having something to “play” with while on stage, which is why I wanted a detachable skirt. I thought it gave me that element of surprise, and something interesting to look at while I was modeling.

So really you can just add a colorful piece of fabric to your existing outfit to kick it up a notch & make it perfect for the stage! Mostly make sure that you feel sassy & confident in your fun fashion outfit. No one will know how much you paid for it, but wear it like you’re worth a million bucks!!

Ashley Smith

DC International Pageants Workshop

To help prepare for the Miss and Miss Teen DC International 2011 pageants, held last weekend, I assisted with a workshop for the contestants. My job was to demonstrate stage makeup and to do the makeup prior to their photo shoots later that day. The event was hosted in the facility of a Georgetown boutique, which made it even more fun for all of us!!

I answered the contestant’s many questions about the International System. I also spoke to them about competing for the DC International Title (I was Miss Teen DC International 2009). It was great to see Rita, my former Director. She is always so kind and welcoming to me and my family (she calls my mother “Mom Jules”). She has a special part for both and my sister queen Ashley Smith and I at this year’s pageant- we cannot wait!!!

Chelsey Rogers (Miss DC International 2010 as well as Top Ten finalist at Nationals) and Alexis Harvey (Miss Teen DC International 2010) were both also helping at the event. I love seeing them. Alexis is so sweet and has some a compelling story of homelessness in her youth and overcoming much adversity to become the strong young woman and role model that she is today. Chelsea is incredible! She is beautiful, fabulous and has a personality larger than life. She also is an accomplished lawyer with her own practice- wow!

I feel blessed to have been introduced and to continue to work with such wonderful people as the DC International queens and Director, Rita Sinha. Rita is also very accomplished and will be graduating with her law degree from The George Washington University this May. She specializes in Patent and Intellectual Property law and speaks Japanese and Hindi! She is so supportive and encouraged me to follow my dreams and to compete again for Miss Teen International- I will be eternally grateful to her for her belief in me.

Juliana McKee

Saira's BHLDN Dream Wedding

Now that you saw Jen's "dream wedding", it's time for Saira to share. While we both have similar styles, Jen's look is a bit more soft and romantic, while Saira's can be more casual or hip. The wonderful thing about BHLDN is that it encompasses both our styles, and everything in between, to create unique bridal fashion that everyone can enjoy.

The Dress:

Traditional wedding gowns are gorgeous, but not for everyone. If you're a hippie chick or love the vintage look, then this burnished organza gown is perfect for you. It has a bronze sequined bodice which adds some personality and color to the dress, without being overwhelming or gaudy. The five tiers of silk create a wonderful silhouette, perfect for gracefully swishing down the aisle.





The Jewelry:

Because the neckline of the organza gown is so embellished, we suggest wearing a bracelet rather than a necklace or earrings, in order to avoid too much clutter in the neck region. We think these simple moonstone bangles are a perfect compliment, dressing up your bare arms with just a touch of gold.

The Shoes:



 These peep toe sandals would work for both the brides and bridesmaids (below), adding some color to both ensembles.





The Accessory:

If you can't tell already, a pea / lime green is Saira's accent color of choice.  It would look great with the bridesmaid dresses (below) and tie the whole look together.





The Bridesmaids:

If the bride is dressed simply, then so should the bridesmaids. This short and sweet pleated dress is wonderfully simple, but chic! It is in the same cream colored family as the organza gown, with a pea green sash to add some color. The chiffon neckline gives it a vintage feel, making the bridesmaid the prim little sister to the free spirited bride.



Happy wedding, dolls!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Travel: Necker Island Private Island Necker Is Sir Richard Branson's

Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private paradise, is situated in the British Virgin Islands, a stunning and unspoilt area of the Caribbean. At 74 acres, the island sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches.
For a modest sum of $53,000 USD a night, this private oasis can be yours for you and your 28 guests (and a staff of 60 of course). Check out the pictures and information below on this little piece of Heaven.