Sip and See for Little Three

    If you are from the South, you have quite possibly heard of a "Sip and See."  This long-standing mostly Southern tradition has morphed into something with a different twist in modern times. In my day, the Sip and See was held in the home of the Bride in the weeks before the wedding so that folks could come and view the wedding gifts in advance of the big day. Now, you most often receive an invitation to a Sip and See to meet a newly arrived little person.
   Some dear friends of ours did just that for Little Three. Friends and family recently gathered on a delightful Sunday afternoon with warm sunshine and a definite hint of fall in the air. To say that the  hostess has a beautiful house is an understatement. Her home is literally layered with beauty. Her taste combines a few contemporary touches with more traditional in a delightful eclectic way that serves to make folks feel right at home. It is lovely but not pretentious. You feel the warmth and the comfort the minute you step in the door. As my daughter-in-law said, "I could just pack a toothbrush and move in."
    The hostesses wisely kept the party simple. Champagne in the cutest little containers you have ever seen. Tiny baby-sized cupcakes from Nashville's vaunted Cupcake Collection. Traditional lemonade and pink lemonade along with coffee, and tea. Perfect. Lovely. Delightful. Need I say more?

 And here's the little man doing what he does best...sleeping through it all. 

It will be a gift that will serve him well in life!

Hostesses with The Daughter and The Mom!

My three girls!

Labor Day Bunnies

     I don't decorate for fall. I think I used to put dried corn on my mailbox. That was a long time ago. Since this apparently seems to be a time for true confessions, I will tell you that the Easter bunnies are still out in the living room. I happen to like bunnies. Apparently that's a good thing since they are still around and about at my house for Labor Day. Labor Day bunnies. I like that.
     I read the other day that we have 112 days left until Christmas. Oh no. Just thinking about Christmas is exhausting me. Those bunnies need not worry. They are safely ensconced until  late November when I will trade them out for Christmas decor. Sigh.
    I now say that I have officially become my mother. I remember when she, the erstwhile Queen of Christmas, used to groan about how much energy she expended each year decorating for Christmas. I never did understand what all the moaning and groaning was about. Well,  I am there. No doubt about it. 112 days. I think I will remain in denial for at least another 85 days. Then I will run around like a chicken with my head chopped off. That definitely seems to be my modus operandi these days.
   But hey, I did finally get rid of the dead pansies in the planter by the front door and put a mum in to replace the now extinct pansies. However, it was totally a move of desperation. The mum had sat there for a week looking forlorn and increasingly wilted. Every time I passed it, I whispered, "I know, I know." So today I dug a hole and put the mum in the planter just so that I would not have to feel guilty about throwing it away. That's the extent of the fall decorations at my house. Just saying.
   But here are some great ideas from Pinterest and other folks if you are into that kind of thing.

Source: bing.com via Caroline on Pinterest

knewlywifed.blogspot.com

shelterness.com

Martha Stewart.com

shelterness.com

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Emily on Pinterest

Source: talkcraftytome.com via Paula on Pinterest

Be inspired. Have fun.
In the meantime, I am happy with the mum in the planter and the Labor Day bunnies in the living room.

   

Pretty Maids All in a Row

   Who doesn't have a closet full of old bridesmaid's dresses? Think you'll ever wear them again? Yeah, right. I'll bet even money that most of them will end up being donated to charity, find their way to a dress-up box, or be dropped off at Goodwill. You might hang on to them for a while, but let's face it, most of them are not what you envision yourself EVER wearing again. But darn! You did spend a lot of money on that dress...

    What's a bride to do? I think my daughter-in-law (the one who married the oldest son in March) was one wise woman. She told her bridesmaids to wear a black dress. Period. The length, the cut or the fabric were up to each individual. Some of the girls purchased new dresses just because they wanted to. The Daughter wore a dress that she already had in her closet as did another bridesmaid. And one girl wore a dress that (gasp) she had worn in another wedding. They all looked beautiful. Here's a shot that showcases the variety of dresses and hemlines.

And here are the pretty maids all in a row, with the gorgeous bride, of course!

   And here are some other weddings where the bridesmaids wore attire that certainly looked as though they would be likely to be worn again rather than ending up stuffed somewhere in the back of the closet.

Same color, but each girl has chosen her own figure flattering style

Source: jessicafreyphotographyblog.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Here's proof that even patterns can work

Source: weddings.theknot.com via Ali on Pinterest

Here is a selection of color palettes with similar hues

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Ali on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Ali on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Here's to mixing it up with purples and grays

Or shades of green

If individuality is your thing, then allowing your bridesmaids more 

latitude in their dress selections might be a choice you want to consider and embrace!

Thanks Kate

I, for one, am glad that modesty has made a significant comeback in the world of Bridal Couture. 

Thanks to Kate Middleton for bringing back a resurgence of interest in sleeves, 

higher bodices and dresses that accentuate the waist. These dresses showcase bustlines,  waistlines, and hips in ways that bespeak of mystery rather than revealing too much skin!

Case in point:

In case you don't know...that's Grace Kelley on the left
and Kate Middleton on the right!

See what I mean about some of the lovely offerings available to brides:

Photo by LisaLefkowitz.net

Here designer Reem Acra uses a sheer lace bodice to add a delicate touch to this dress

Romona Keveza's dress from the Legend's Collection

Priscilla of Boston offers a classic full skirted gown in a 

timeless silhouette with lovely sheer sleeves

Monique Lulliler made lace and the corset her trademark...here she uses both to great advantage

Designed by Theia

A Francesca Miranda Design

Designed by Pronovias

This lovely is from Lela Rose

And this one is from Alfred Angelo

Truth of the matter is that there are lots of gorgeous gowns for brides who want to combine
 loveliness with a sense of mystery on their special day

Source: wedding-charlotte.com via kazukotnewman on Pinterest

Source: behance.vo.llnwd.net via Danielle on Pinterest

Source: alwaysgolden.tumblr.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Half on Pinterest

Source: hertfordshire-wedding.com via phyllismhamlin on Pinterest

Source: weddingdresses1.tk via Tami on Pinterest