The Fete Blog

I’m in a bit of a jewelry craze right now– interesting and unusual rings and bangles are all that I’m craving these days! (I know, I’m totally late to the party on these trends.) Stumbling upon Hero King Embellishments‘ Etsy shop last week was a total dream come true…

If you’re a: Game of Thrones lover / quirky hip girl / interested in medieval or mystical adornments / obsessed with metals– Hero King is one shop you absolutely must swing by. Zachary Little, shop owner and maker, is based in Ohio; his pieces spring from his “fascination with objects, for their own quirky marvel, and as artifacts woven into human narrative.”

Every creation in his shop is one I would wear everyday; someone who doesn’t wear quirky or textured jewelry on a regular basis will definitely find a piece (or two or three) to throw in their jewelry cycle. Pieces range from $50-70 and are easily customizable (and Zachary definitely seems like the kind of artist that would fit in perfectly with the Charlottesville crowd). His crown ring and arrow bracelet are high on my must-buy list!

Believe it or not, summer is coming! With all this chilly, gray weather, it’s hard to imagine, but the end of the month is Memorial Day– traditionally the start of the summertime with pools opening, temperatures skyrocketing, and sundresses making a splash. What will be your fashion statement this summer season?

I’m personally adoring these floppy hats by Preston & Olivia for summer. I’m not usually a hat person, but something about these bright colors, interesting graphic designs, and wide rims are making me a convert. Preston & Olivia has a range of fun resort and summer hats, perfect for the beach, subtle enough for hanging poolside, and chic enough to wear around town on a sunny day. Ranging from $85 (for the smaller ones, like the last one in this bunch) to $250 for larger and more intricate designs, these straw hats are definitely going to be attention-grabbing this summer. Pair with a fabulous sundress, linen pants and tank, or sexy bikini– and repeat as often as you can!

See more from the Preston & Olivia line (including the gah-gorgeous bridal headpieces!!) on their site or Etsy! 

If you aren’t jumping-up-and-down excited about the upcoming Great Gatbsy re-imagining by Baz Luhrmann, you must be staunchly against the re-emerging Art Deco trends– or you must have really, really hated reading the book in high school. And while the wedding world is in turmoil over the Great Gatsby-inspired celebrations popping up (you do know the main characters are terribly selfish people who just hurt each other and unfortunately he DOESN’T get the girl), it doesn’t stop us from daydreaming about the lusciousness of the Roaring ’20s or the fantastic style they possessed. This fun inspiration shoot by D. Park Photography channels that spirit into a few scenes that could spark your next party, outfit, or even a wedding…

From the photographer: The Great Gatsby gives us glimpse of an era of elegance, sophistication and glamour, so we drew inspiration from this great American novel to capture different looks. Our vision was to portray a prosperous time in American history by bringing in elements of lush and romance into the unique décor details of each space. The shoot was held at the prestigious Sky Room, located atop the historic Breakers of Long Beach Hotel.

Much of the inspiration for the menswear in this shoot comes from the Ralph Lauren designs portrayed in the 1974 adaption of The Great Gatsby. The fashion designs of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Liz Claiborne are proving that styles from the ’20s, (i.e. newsboy caps and three-piece suits) withstand the ever-evolving world of fashion trends.

Many bridal gown designers such as Kitty Chen and Allure anticipated the release of The Great Gatsby and created a modern line of wedding gowns and accessories in vintage silk, satin and lace. These and other designers are bringing a modern feeling to the classic shape of the Roaring Twenties with beaded cap sleeves, low backs and drop waists.

images by D. Park Photography / this shoot was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Vendors:
Event Design: Expressionary Events
Bar Design: Night Owl Productions
Favors and Gifts: Candee by Sandee, El Canito Cigar Rolling
Floral Designer: Bonne Fleur
Musicians: Scott Cummings Music
Reception Venue: The Sky Room
Cinema and Video: Jakfoto Films
Dresses: Bridal Elegance & Belucci Couture
Heirlooms and extras: Commemory Fine Art
Linens and Coverings: Designer Specialty Linens
Makeup Artist: Rock Me Up
Personal Stylist: Styled by Connie
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Friar Tux Shop

One of the things that fascinates me the most about weddings, personally and professionally, is the way brides and grooms choose to style themselves. This is one of the most fun, unique, and personal days in your life– you must be styled accordingly! Putting together your wedding day look can be thrilling, challenging, or a combination of the two, but one thing is for sure– no two couples ever look alike! I’m so excited to jump into this new monthly column– Bride & Groom will showcase a couple’s personal wedding day styling, any challenges they faced, the sartorial decisions they made, and, of course, where you can get certain pieces for yourself!

images by Jessika Feltz Photography

Ashley & Wil: Modern, Classy & Clean | Colors: black and chartreuse green

Our sartorial story: Since my two sisters both lived out of town at the time, we had to look for my wedding dress over Christmas break– which was about 10 months before my wedding. We had heard about this little town in Ohio that is notorious for all things bridal. I found my dress after an extremely long and somewhat exhausting day of dress hunting. And, as some brides say, it looked NOTHING like I had imagined myself wearing, but I loved it.

The accessories: I had been looking for the perfect hairpiece for months without any luck. I searched antique shops, chain bridal stores, specialty stores and looked online. I ended up buying some small flowers, hair clips, jewels and feathers at Hobby Lobby and one of my sisters ended up making it for me a few days before the wedding. It cost about $20 and looked beautiful.

I was set on buying myself and Wil new perfume for the wedding day. I wanted something special and different that we could remember. I ended up buying Lady Million and One Million by Pacco Rabanne. It smells wonderful and it’s what we both wore throughout the honeymoon too. Every time we wear those scents they remind us of our wedding day and the honeymoon- yum!

I suppose I was a pretty low-key bride when it comes to wedding jewelry because I only wanted some small, sparkly earrings and a bracelet. My drop earrings were very simple and from Macy’s. I was in search of the perfect bracelet for the wedding day and again, could not find one that I loved. Everything was either too fancy or too plain. Wil, knowing that I had been stressing about finding the perfect style, took it upon himself to find one and surprised me with the perfect bracelet a few days before the wedding. I love it and am so happy that I now have something to pass on to my children one day.

The groomsmen wore: all black with a little green accent from their pocket square that also doubled as a hankie (and was the groomsmen gift).

The bridesmaids wore: black dresses and shoes with a pop of green from their florals and the earrings given to them as bridesmaids gifts.

Our priorities: We wanted to be comfortable, while still looking our best. I had to have my hair up and off my back because well, let’s be honest, I have a lot of hair and I didn’t want to be messing with it all night. I wore two pairs of shoes as most brides do– one for the ceremony so that I could be a bit taller and then another pair for the reception so that I could be more comfortable.

Wil was really adamant about having a nicely fitted shirt under his tux (he says all the rentals are too boxy) along with a pair of  shoes that would be comfortable for him to wear all day and night. We splurged on a very nice white button down (which ended up getting ruined by the tea leaves on his lei at the reception!) and a pair of black Pliner men’s dress shoes.

Favorite fashion detail: This may be the easy answer, but I absolutely loved my dress. I loved the style, the cut, the back and the fact that it was comfortable the entire night. It made me feel glamourous and accentuated my features.

Get this look:
Dress: Allure Bridals
Hairpiece: Homemade by bride’s sister
Shoes: Caparros
Earrings: Eliot Danori
Bracelet: Goldcaster’s Jewelry
Tux/bowtie/embroidered pocket square/hankie: Andrew Davis Menswear
Shoes: Donald Pliner

When my sister got married and had a wedding with 125 guests wining, dining, and dancing the night away, I told my parents to take it all in and enjoy it because, one day, I was going to elope.

image via Style Me Pretty

I’m still adamant about that plan. My favorite everyday social gatherings are small and intimate. I’m an instant wallflower at a big party, often quietly slipping out the door early. I’ve been to some beautiful weddings and had little moments where I wondered “Maybe I’d regret not having this…” But it passes quickly. Very quickly. I know myself. In my heart of hearts, I know I simply wouldn’t be able to relax and enjoy it– the process of planning or the event itself. I’d be edging my way toward the back door, eager to escape.

image via Intimate Weddings

Obviously, I’m not the only one who feels this way (of course, there are lots of other reasons to elope as well).

image via She Finds

Side note: I have to say I am truly thrilled with the growing trend of eloping couples hiring professional photographers to document their day.

image via Green Wedding Shoes

I’m guessing I’m also not the only gal out there who still wants to put on a pretty dress even if there aren’t any wedding guests watching. Some ladies are still opting for a traditional gown. But you can definitely go less formal. Little white dresses seem to be a hot item this spring so you are in luck if you’re planning a matrimonial getaway for two this year. There are a lot of options out there. I browsed around a bit and found a few I think would be sweet for a small, personal ceremony.

1. Nordstrom, Alice + Olivia, $595
2. Asos, $64
3. DVF, Zarita dress, $325
4. Anthropologie, $288
5. Top Shop, $200

While we’re on the topic, it seems to be a popular concern on various blogs that some couples fear eloping will hurt the feelings of their friends and family. What are your thoughts? Would you be offended if a good friend called to announce their newlywed news?

–kim speer

I love when brides incorporate sweet family traditions into their wedding days– and when tradition comes in the form of a romantic reception venue and some gorgeous fashion details, cue the swoonfest!

Edie, a sweet North Carolina bride, and her groom Zach chose the Angus Barn for their wedding reception– the same venue where her parents were married! Despite the winter weather (these bridals were shot in December), the grounds around the Angus Barn look divine.

Edie dazzles up her sleek, sophisticated dress with a sparkly belt– a fun way to add some sass to a classic bridal look!

A must-have accessory for winter brides: a luxurious, beautiful shrug or shawl! Edie’s fur belonged to her great aunt– a lovely nod to family tradition and a gorgeous compliment to her gown!

images by Jessica Arden Photography | this session was submitted via Two Bright Lights! 

I love styled shoots– whether they’re wedding, party, or lifestyle-related– and when this Mad Men, ’60s inspired family shoot by Kane and Social hit my inbox, I was blown away. Don’t these images look like you found them in your parents’ attic? And with the season six premiere of Mad Men coming at us this weekend, what better way to get in the mood than with this incredible blast from the past?

When friends of photographer Robert Chamorro approached him with the idea of doing a family photoshoot in Miami, the area’s vintage and old school vibe inspired the group to style this young family a la Mad Men. Remember when Don took the kids to California? This must have been his second vacation option!

Isn’t this family gorgeous? What a great twist on the typical family portrait session!

images by Kane and Social | this fabulous shoot was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Have you heard about Pennyweight, the Nashville-based blog and shop by Elise Joseph? Not only does Elise have the most stunning, sophisticated, and effortless style, she curates the loveliest products and highlights the sweetest, most genuine creatives on her blog, while also showcasing limited-edition goods in her online shop.

This month’s limited-edition piece is a elegant polished brass cuff, designed exclusively by Richmond-based jewelry studio Young Frankk. I am so in love! This piece is all clean lines, raw beauty, and feminine strength. Hurry– there are only 20 of these available! And while you’re at it, sign up for Pennyweight’s newsletter to stay in the loop– she posts a new product every fourth Monday of the month!

PS. Read more about Christine Young here! images via Pennyweight

I’m sure we’re all entering that same life phase– where all our friends, family, coworkers (maybe even ourselves!) are entering motherhood. Even if you’re not jumping on the baby bandwagon just yet (or if you’ve just passed it), there are still plenty of reasons to keep an eye out for fashionable children’s goodies– chances are, you’ll have some adorable tot to gift to in the near future! Because we have so many friends having children right now and because my baby fever is at an all-time high, I’ve been perusing every baby clothing-and-goods boutique and maker out there.

The Dani Collection

The Esme Collection

The Everly Collection (Everly– now one of my new favorite baby names!)

I’ve fallen head over heels for these organic jersey cotton baby headbands by the Etsy shop Little Hip Squeaks (based in Brooklyn). Available in sizes infant (newborn – one year) and toddler (1 yr – 2T), these are absolutely perfect for your sister’s/best friend’s/cousin’s hip little bebe. They’re sweet and feminine, but the modern, graphic designs make them fashion-forward and interesting. The color schemes are perfect for spring and summer– it’s not hard to imagine every little girl you pass rocking one of these!

A limited-edition blanket with FOXES– there are only a few more of these left and, yes, I am SO tempted to snatch one up for the Team Jefferson Boo that is not anywhere near existence… 

Little Hip Squeaks also offers the most adorable and modern collections of baby blankets, leggings, and baby hats, all in highly graphic and colorful designs– hurry to their Etsy shop, Facebook, and blog to check out more of these gorgeous goodies!

image by Meg Runion

I’m endlessly fascinated by the makers of jewelry– the process from raw materials to finished product is an intricate, creative, and subjective experience and all the love that goes in to each piece is astounding. And whether a jewelry line is massed produced or completely customized, it all starts somewhere: with a bead, a strangely-shaped piece of metal, a shiny stone.

I connected with designer Tricia Humphreys through our mutual friend Jen Fariello in my quest to discover more local artists and makers. The jewelry Tricia creates is a mash-up of old and new. When Tricia talks about her jewelry, it’s as if she’s discussing the lives of old friends– to her, each antique piece, whether it be a locket, part of a belt buckle, or a portion of a pocket watch, tells a story, one that she feels privileged to retell as she creates something entirely new by intertwining an “old” piece with new beading.

image by Tom Daly

When did your interest in jewelry begin?

Tricia: Don’t all little girls love jewelry? I can honestly say I have loved it all my life. As a child on vacation, I can remember visiting the amusement park at the beach night after night, collecting my arcade tickets, saving up for one very sparkly ring in the prize case. I still have that ring! My family has always celebrated milestones with gifts of jewelry… confirmations, turning 16, 18, 21, graduations, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, having babies and so on. Jewelry becomes a marker of a particular time in your life, and that gives each piece a sentimental meaning.

image by Tom Daly

My first job was in a jewelry store! I wasn’t even old enough to drive. The manager put me behind the counter at the ripe old age of 15 and I was in heaven.

My interest in antique jewelry dates back to childhood as well. My grandparents loved to go antiquing and I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of weekends with them. While they were hunting for the things they loved, I would go straight to the jewelry case. I always found myself wondering about the original owner of each piece of jewelry and how one came to be separated from the other.

At what point did you realize you wanted to make jewelry into a fully-realized business?

Tricia: My sister and I started making jewelry as soon as she was old enough to drive us to the bead store in the Fan District of Richmond. But things really got started for us on a rainy day at the beach in 2001.  With nothing else to do, we found a few bead stores, came back to the house and made a dozen necklaces. GotRocks was born. We started having trunk shows once or twice a year and our friends became loyal customers. Back then our primary goal was to make enough money to go to New York, buy more beads and start all over again!

image by Tom Daly

Then in 2011, my friend Wendi Smith of Leftover Luxuries fame connected me with Lynne Goldman and Steve Metz of Lynne Goldman Elements (formerly Lynne Goldman Studio). They have been carrying our work for almost two years and that has really enabled us to take things to a whole new level. They really “get” what we’re trying to do and see the value and beauty in it. The opportunity and encouragement I have gotten from Lynne and Steve has just been life changing! And now they’ve opened a stunning new store on the Downtown Mall… you have to go see it!

image by Jen Fariello

Take us behind the scenes: what does an average day look like for you? 

Tricia: Well, my real job is being a mom, so my days pretty much revolve around that, but I do spend a ton of time hunting for antique pieces that speak to me. I am REALLY picky, so the hunt can be time consuming. Whenever possible I love to find things in person, but I also have some great online resources. I tend to collect pieces for a while and then sit down to production. It ends up being a four to six week cycle; two to three weeks hunting, two to three weeks creating and producing.

image by Meg Runion

The concept of mixing old and new is one fashion folks are fascinated with; tell us a little about the concept and inspiration behind your pieces!

Tricia: The antiques are inspiration in and of themselves. I don’t buy a piece unless I am completely and totally in love with it. By the time I pull the trigger, I already have a picture in my head of how it is going to look in the end.

Anyone can take a sweet, romantic Victorian locket and turn it into a sweet, romantic necklace. What I love to do it to take that same piece and create something entirely unexpected. The best is when I can make something look really modern, even though it is over 100 years old; or when I can take a masculine piece like a watch fob or a sporting medal and make it look feminine; or when I can rework something that started its life as one thing and turn it into a wearable piece of jewelry. Every piece I purchase was once a symbol of something, of love, or loss, or hope, or accomplishment. To me they are orphans who have somehow lost their way. I love to bring them back to life and give them new homes.

How do you combat creative blocks? What do you do to keep yourself refreshed and creatively challenged?

Tricia: After I have been in production mode for a while my studio looks like a bomb went off. Cleaning up and reorganizing always makes me happy and it gives me a clean slate to work on. That’s a real boost for creativity. Coming home from bead buying with strands and strands of new sparkly things also really gets the creative juices flowing.

image by Tom Daly

Being a businesswoman is surely part of your life; what parts of your personality lend itself the business side of your company and the creative side? Are there aspects of small-business-owning that you want to continue improving?

Tricia: Believe it or not, being a stickler for details works for both my creative and business sides. It is the little details that make something special and beautiful. My work is very carefully crafted and being a little on the anal side really helps. And it helps on the business side for obvious reasons.

image by Meg Runion

What jewelry or fashion trends are you loving right now?

Tricia: Fall and winter fashions were a great source of inspiration because the focus was on color, especially jewel tones. For spring, I think the colors are going to go a little softer, but color is color and that’s what I love. For better or worse, I don’t really try to follow fashion with my work, I just try to make things that are beautiful. Beauty is always in style, right?

What advice do you have for up-and-coming designers or creatives? How do you create and run a small business while having a balanced life?

Tricia: Balance? You’re talking to the wrong person. Although I strive for that, I am far from it and sometimes my house feels like it is falling down around me! But I think the best advice is to create a great space to work in, even if it is just a worktable in a corner of a room. Then do what you love, and do it with confidence and conviction, and others will see the beauty and the value in it.

image by Tom Daly

What’s next for you?

Tricia: Long term, I would love to create a limited edition line of vintage-and antique-inspired jewelry based on pieces I collect.But in the short term, I’m just hoping for a long weekend in New York with my sister to find more goodies to work with!

Find Tricia’s line, GotRocks Jewelry, exclusively at the new Lynne Goldman Elements on the Downtown Mall and follow along on Facebook!