a little vogue sposa..............

images via Vogue Sposa

little elegant dresses inspired by the paintings of, Vermeer

COVER: dress by Carlo Pignatelli Couture
2nd photo: dress by Fausto Sarli
3rd photo: dress by Jenny Packham Bride
4th photo: dress by Anna Ceruti

...little daily's

just wanted to share my additional new blog called "little daily's"
this blog is dedicated to beautiful things that inspire me everyday......enjoy!

a little manolo blahnik for the bride..............

Manolo Blahnik, blue satin pump via Neiman Marcus

Manolo Blahnik, style, Posilla pump navy blue suede #92 on suede color chart
Rhinestone shoe buckles bought at The Family Jewels

The new blue satin Manolo Blahniks that appeared in the Sex in The City movie, got me thinking about the a special pair I have in my closet. I didn't realize till today that they are so similar in style and all by chance, go figure. (see image above)
I know the price of these new satin shoes is a little steep, $945 for most brides, let alone most people (mine were a gift of sorts) but if your willing to splurge on accessories, which I think makes more sense then spending tons on a dress that you most likely will wear once, why not spend a little more on shoes which you will wear forever? If your madly in love with the oh-so coveted Carrie Bradshaw blue satin pumps, here is an idea for little bit cheaper alternative.........

some insider tips when shopping for the perfect Manolo:
The Manolo Blahnik Boutique carries classic styles in white satin for brides, such as sedarby, carolyn, tuccio or tuccio lace, plus many more. (to give you a rough idea about price, Tuccio in leather usually runs about $495.) If you looking for a colored shoe but can't find the right one, or maybe your want to wear white on your wedding but aren't sure what to do with them after? All of these styles can easily be dyed to match that same electric blue from Carries fabulous satin pump or any other color your little heart desires. Also, if you want to make your shoe even more personalized, think of how beautiful rhinestone vintage buckles would look added to a pair of plain manolo pumps? Or maybe a fabric or silk flower? think outside the box.... The classic pumps are usually lower in price then the styles with rhinestones, so this is a great way to make your style without paying the higher price. Now your probably asking , what shoe repair could I trust with these little treaures? The MB boutique uses a special shoe repair around the corner called, Shoe Service Plus , they are incredible and can handle the designer shoe whether its changing a heel, dying it royal blue or sewing on a rhinestone buckle, you name it, they pretty much, can do it. If you are thinking of dying a white shoe a color, it's best to give them a swatch sample.
Note, if you don't want the 3 inch or 4 inch heels for your wedding day, try and ask the MB shop if you can special order shorter heels that match your shoe. They may or may not do this anymore but if they do, I recommend, 50mm or 70mm (not the stiletto, 90mm or 105mm, which is 3 or 4 inch heels).
(*note, special ordering heels takes a little while to be made and shipped from Italy, so if they can do it, expect that it would take at least a month or so)

Where to find Manolo Blahniks
*note all stores carry different styles, Bergdorf carries more classic styles and colors, while Barneys may gave more edgy colors etc...
Manolo Blahnik Boutique, NYC West 54th street (no website, call store for style & size inquiries)
Manolo Blahnik Boutique, London (the original store where the designer is located but please note that they carry slightly different styles verses the United States)
Neiman Marcus (see website for select store locations)
Bergdorf Goodman NYC
Saks Fifth Avenue (they don't show them on the website, so you will have to call to find out which for select store locations carry the designer, first try NYC)
Barneys (all store locations)
Nordstrom (they don't show them on the website, so you will have to call to find out which for select store locations carry the designer)
Wynn Hotel (Las Vegas)
Jeffreys (NYC and Atlanta)
Boyds (Philadelphia)
Ultimo (Chicago)
FootCandy (California)
Mitchells and Richards (Connecticut)
Browns (Toronto, Canada)
Bob Ellis (South and North Carolina) a little inside info: Bob Ellis is also Jeffreys NYC families business)

WEDDING DECOR: Flower Place Cards

these 2 in 1, sweet little bud name vases, are another simple way to add flowers without going overboard. These are ideal for smaller weddings, as they are a little on the expensive side if you have 100 or more guests (8 vases for £22.00) and after the wedding these will come in handy for all of those fabulous dinner parties you and your hubby will throw! for information go here

I'm digging these little matches, with a whimsical modern twist. It's refreshing to see the definition of "marriage" on the cover, rather then the typical bride and groom names and wedding date, don't you think?

What about these cute little Victorian masks in addition to your props for your photo booth? For more information on the masks go here and for ideas on photo booth props go here.

little honeymoon adventures: FRANCE

Today's little honeymoon adventure, I am taking you out of Italy and over the south of France, to a small city called, Arles. This romantic, little city, is most famous for the Roman Ruins and the artist, Vincent Van Gogh. His best depiction of cafe life was inspired by the city and can be seen in his painting titled, Cafe Terrace at Night. It is a city that continues to attract many artists from all over the globe. In fact, every year, it hosts the famous, Les Recontres D'Arles, which was one of the very first Photography Festivals in the world.

ARLES
Hotel D'Arlatan

provence blue is found everywhere

SIGHTS
Vincent Van Gogh Foundation

The Musée départemental de l'Arles antiques

The Roman Colosseum in Arles

Montmajour Abbey

The Museon Arlaten, 29 rue de la République

Flea Market (saturday only) on Blvd. des Lices

intricate tile work on the floors

SLEEP
Hotel D'Arlatan $$
I highly recommend this hotel, its within a good budget, 82 euros a night for a standard room, private bath, 2 adults, breakfast not included. It's quaint and absolutely beautiful.
Grand Hotel Nord-Pinus $$$
Hotel Jules Cesar $$$$

EATS
Au Brin de Thym
22 rue du Dr Fanton
p. 04 90 49 95 96
Lou Marque (located in the Jules Cesar Hotel) ultra romantic spot, perfect for a splurge night out with your sweetie

How to get to Arles go here

{photography by Michele Quinn, my mamma)

a little wedding shower.......................

a little wedding shower in Connecticut........
June 7, 2008
I, along with five other bridesmaids put together a sweet little brunch wedding shower for my bestfriend....
we went with a kitchen theme and asked guests to share their favorite recipes with the bride

Brunch Menu

cheese plate
fresh mozzarella salad
salami, prosciutto and ham

pesto pasta salad
vegetable pasta salad

mixed greens and vegetables

prosecco & white wine

illustrations and invitation by didi

old and new photographs of the little bride to be
party favors: little whisks

We went with a blue and white color palette for flowers. I ordered the flowers from our hometown florist, Flower Fall, a mixture of white sweet peas, dark blue delphiniums, white peonies, blush roses , white lilac branches and blue hydrangeas and arranged them in an assortment of clear and cobalt blue glass vessels that I bought from Fishs Eddy ,
(after the party I gave little vases to the bride)

bride and groom monogrammed napkins
with wedding date

For desert, Ducan Hines yellow cake cupcakes with milk chocolate frosting were served at the brides request. I decorated the cupcakes with sugared yellow mimosa's and sugared mint tea leaves brought over from Italy from my neighborhood Pasticcerria Gelateria called, Corregio. Go here to see more info.

I also found this incredible cupcake courier at bed bath and beyond, isn't it genius? I ended up giving it to the bride as an addition for her kitchen. How handy with this be once she has a kids running around and needs to transport those cupcakes to school for classroom birthday parties? for more information on about cupcake courier, go here.

(flower arrangement and illustrations via Didi Weddings)

a little break........

I am back from my little break...I've been busy busy, traveling, had a small Italian wedding lunch and organized and hosted a bridal shower in the states...lots of goodies to share with you all.

Today it's rainy and cold. Its been raining for almost one month straight here in Milan. Ugh. My weekend activities consisted of cooking and playing games of, Bananagrams, a crossword/scrabble game. It's the best for cozy, rainy days. For more information on the game go here (see image above)

{photography by deirdre quinn}

TAG- I'M IT!

TAG- I'M IT!

Bridal Affairs has tagged me- so here goes! These are the rules:

1. Link to person who tagged you and post the rules

2. Share 5 songs that you are embarrassed to share with others that you like and tell why

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blog

4. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

5 of my favorite silly songs


1. "Tequila" by the Champs, it reminds me of watching Pee Wee's Big Adventure when he steps on the bar with ENORMOUS white platform shoes and dances. I think I am more embarrassed to say I use to watch Pee Wee Herman movies but I loved him when i was little....if you don't know what I'm talking about go here

2. "I think We're Alone Now", by Tiffany, classic girls, just wanna have fun kinda of song from the 80's.

3. "Cool Rider" grease 2 was a big hit when I was a little tike, my friends and I use to dance around the basement in my house pretending we were the pink ladies.....I mean didn't every girl???

4. "Forever Young", not sure why b/c I truly like Rod Stewart but this song is a bit on the cheesy side....

5. "Damm I wish I was Your Lover" , Sophie B. Hawkins, when this album came out I was in the the 7th or 8th grade, I played it over and over again.....my best friend Melissa can attest to this to this day...


tag your it!
Sarah, at Saipua
Courtney, at Little White Book
Simona, at Electrosmoothie
Ambrogio, (my significant other) Posttyson
Rachel, at Black*Eiffel
Kathryne at snippet & ink
and Classic Bride


have fun! grazie mille Wendy from Bridal Affairs!

little honeymoon adventures in Italy...........

TUSCANY SPA RESORT

images via Grotta Giusti website

today's little honeymoon adventures in Italy is short but ever so important as it is dedicated to a little spa spot located in the hills of Tuscany
if you find yourself traveling in Tuscany, why not treat you and your sweet to a few days of pampering at the Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort located in a early nineteen century villa , for more information see here.

away till June 1.......

ciao ciao

I will be away from the blog till June 1.
Promise to post little mixtapes when I get back : )

off to the italian countryside for a small wedding celebration with our friends and family.

little honeymoon adventures in Italy

PARMA

Visiting Parma, makes for an ideal day trip, as it is only an hour and a half from Milan. Located in the Emilia-Romagna region, this elegant little city is made up of delightful cobble stone streets, making it easy to explore by foot. It is the land of prosciutto and parmagiano and birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi but also happens to be the home of two of my favorite perfumes, Parma violetta di parma and Aqua di Parma. (purchasing a bottle of the little sweet, Violetta di Parma, is a must)


SIGHTS

Duomo of Parma, where you will find one of Correggio's fresco masterpiece
La Collezione Borsari 1870 (The Borsari Perfume Museum) where the famous, Violetta di Parma is manufactured.
Via Trento 30A, (39-0521) 771011, fax (39-0521) 272953, is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. On weekends, call ahead; free.
Orto Botanico, is located in the historical center, about a 10 minute walk from Piazza Garibaldi. This is a gardens is a must for nature lovers, for more information go here. Address: Via Farnini, 90, Cost: Free Hours: Open Monday-Friday 8:30 -2:30 and Saturday 8:30 - Noon

Duomo of Parma

Orto Botanico

This Dixie band wandered around the garden playing wonderful jazz tunes, mentally transporting me from Italy to New Orleans, it was fantastic! all I needed was a beniet, cafe and the ny times, my ideal Sunday.

Sorelle Picchi Trattoria & Salumria

EATS
Sorella Picchi, Via Farini, 27, a delicatessen-style restaurant, food shop in the front with tables in the back, only open midday. It's a great way to experience a Saturday or Sunday leisurely family lunch, Italian style. Prepare yourself for a feast! Here are some of my food recommendations:
First and most importantly, the vino. Order a bottle of, Lambrusco, a red sparkling wine from Parma, that is served chilled. For your appetizer, try a plate of, Affettati Misti, this is a mix of coppa, procsuitto, culatello, salami di felino, salami di culatello and a plate of parmagiano. For your Primi, try Tortelli di Magro and for your seconds, you can't go wrong with the Osso Bucco. My mouth is watering as I write this..........
*on your way out make sure you purchase some food goodies at the deli.

Sunday flea market on via Farini

Turquoise beaded necklace, 25 euros that I purchased from, Regali del Mare

SHOPPING
Parma Color Viola
here you can purchase the little coveted bottle of Violetta di Parma and if your like me and love love love violets, this is your place. They have everything VIOLET!
Regali del Mare,
beautiful jewelry made of inspired by the sea
Greenery, natural interior design
Adriana Rosi ,beautiful table and house hold items
Rossana Campanini, Via Quingenti, 44 San Prospero, beautiful ceramics

SLEEP
Palace Maria Luigia
Tabiano Castello

MORE INFO.
Parma Tourism
How to get to Parma

{all photos by deirdre quinn}

Flower Spotlight: Saipua

What better way to end the week then with a post featuring pretty little blossoms.......

Sarah, the ever so sweet little lady behind these magical creation runs a little flower shop called, Saipua, located in Red Hook Brooklyn. Not only does she make some the most beautiful and unique flower arrangements but she also creates handmade soaps! who knew! Anyway, she was kind enough to share with me a wedding she worked on last weekend at the beautiful Wave Hill estate, located in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson river, can we say romantic? for more on this location go here.

bringing nature in from the estates gardens, the bride assigned different birds to label each table and then the name cards corresponded

images via Saipua

a little photobooth photographer........

As promised, here is the information about our photographers assistant, Jerome Jakubiec.
He is located in New York City and has recently launched a website dedicated to photo booth shots here. Also, check out his beautiful fashion photography here. He can be hired for photo booth sessions, a great option if the photographer your have your heart set on doesn't offer this element.........