THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN

They prefer this Vivienne Westwood to the (awkwardly styled) Halston Heritage.

Far be it from me to side with the people.... But I think I agree.

Even if it is 95% polyester.





Sigh.

If you'll indulge me....

I used to share weird personal stuff on the blog.

You know, stuff about dirty dishes and my struggle with our finances and how sometimes my husband sleeps on the couch.

And then I went "pro" and readership went up and somewhere along the line I stopped sharing so much. I guess I worry that y'all are just here for the wedding snark and you have no interest in the rest of it.

But. I really liked the blog when I was putting myself out there. The posts that I am most afraid to publish always turn out to be the most gratifying.

And so, if you'll indulge me, I think I'll try to get a little more personal again.

Up next: An ode to eye cream

(You think I'm kidding??)

Photo: Vivienne Westwood by Juergen Teller

They're heeeeeeere: CHIHUAHUA IN A FAUX FUR wedding pics!!!

(click to enlarge)

Okay, yeah. So basically I am obsessed with Parker.  But me melodia + the new hubs are pretty cute, too.

It was a fluke 86 degrees in Boston in October. Say Byebye to my fox stole.

I wanted to go with a cabinet of wonder theme. Bones, geodes and curiosities.

The boy had his suit custom made. Yay Irish tweeds and vintage buttons. (Poor guy didn't think it'd be that warm.)

I went for a simple raw silk nautical inspired dress (Jorge Manuel). I'm sorta considering recycling. I'd like some splurge cash and I'm sure the gown would make someone happy.

Anyways, we got married in the largest bird sanctuary in the NE, the John James Audubon Habitat in Belmont, MA. Lots of flora and fauna.

We borrowed a 57 porsche speedster... We were pleased to spot a huge buck on our newlywed drive. So sexy.

After the wedding we went back to the Lenox Hotel, smooched on the rooftop and then were surprised by love knots left on our bed. The last shot is us in our "Judy Garland" suite. The door was so bling that it had a camera. 

The guys we worked with just "got us." They gave us the flat Victorian marital portrait shot we wanted. Just perfect!

Ayyyyyyy! 

(Photos by Avena Studios. Check out a bunch more here and here)

Going broke for my sister's damn wedding

Dear ESB,

I'm a married lady, but I still read your blog because you're awesome.

My little sister is getting married next year, and I could use some advice. My sister is doing a super fancy formal wedding in NYC. I was appointed a bridesmaid (no choice, not that I would have said no). My husband and I will be flying in, staying in a hotel, and of course paying for our food and such while we are in the city. Both of us work full time, but we don't make much, and just attending the wedding is going to cost us about a month's salary, which is fine, it's her wedding and we will be there. 

But here is where I start to get upset. My sister has decided that all her bridesmaids will be wearing matching full length formal gowns to the tune of about $250 or up. I have (tactfully) suggested many, many less expensive but still great options, and talked to her about the expense and the fact that I will never wear this dress again. Her response? Suck it up. 

I can save up the money for the dress, or borrow it if I have to, but really, should I have to do that? I didn't even spend that much on my own wedding gown... 

I don't care if she blows a year's salary on her own wedding, it's her choice, but do I have any say as a bridesmaid? Resigning as a bridesmaid would cause untold family dramatics and hysterics. Any ideas?

*****

Brides be crazy.

She really ought to pay for the damn dress. (OR: YOUR HOTEL ROOM)

But if that's not happening, you do, in fact, have to suck it up.

Photo: Vivienne Westwood by Juergen Teller via Charles Hall

Help! Sparkly wedding blazer dilemma!

Dear ESB:

I'm getting married in Austria at the end of August, outdoor ceremony, & reception in the courtyard of a winery. Ivy covered walls, awesome giant wine press, beautiful, romantic, bla bla bla....

I am all over the outdoor element, but this is Austria and not California, so I'm assuming it's going to be a bit chilly later on in the evening. Normally I would throw on a leather jacket or giant wooly cardigan, but neither of those options are super appropriate for "the big day."

This is my dress, and I'm wearing those Vivienne Westwood rubber/gold heart shoes, the ones that everyone wears. (PS. they are bubblegum scented, which makes me love them even more...)

So my questions is, what the hell should I throw on later in the evening if it gets cold? Something that is not a god-awful pashmina. I like this [Zara blazer pictured above] in gold, but when I showed my mother she threw her hands up in exasperation, wondering why it is impossible for me to pick something 'chic' and 'normal.' Her words were something along the lines of "You're already wearing weird shoes, isn't that enough..."

Now I'm unsure. Is she right? Will the gold-sequin blazer make me look like some florida retiree getting dolled up for bingo night? What could I wear instead?

*****

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

That jacket is fabulous. Tell your mom I said so.

p.s. I'm running out of effusive words that don't make me gag: RAD, AMAZING, FABULOUS… Would someone throw me a few new ones?