real bride: emily

Emily and Andrey got married on the dreamy Caymen Islands. Emily's dress had the most beautiful hand painted flowers on them, and so it was fitting that she wanted her piece to have flowers to mimic the motif seen on her dress. Together we created a head piece composed of 3 different blooms in a combination of various neutrals. The largest bloom was made of a pale pink muslin, with a cluster of ivory pearls wired together to form the center. The other was made of a combination of tulle and chiffon to make a soft ruffled bloom, while the third flower was a taupe, dupioni silk bloom with a pearl center. The flowers were accented with some ivory feathers and a little gathering of russian netting. Each with their own unique qualities and fabrics, the 3 blooms came together beautifully to create a lovely piece, to compliment the blushing bride. Wishing the two of you the best as you start your new lives together in London!
Images courtesy of Emily Snow

lately...

I know it's been a while since I've posted, so I wanted to share images of what I've been working on lately. Enjoy!

Ivory hand cut crepe, shaped, and assembled bloom with vintage ivory millinery stamens, white feathers, and russian veil netting, set on a 5 prong silver wire hair comb.

Pale pink hand cut, shaped, and assembled muslin bloom with vintage berry speckled millinery stamens, laced with french chantilly, and a gathering of white coque feathers. Attached to a wire hair comb.

A combination of pale pink and ivory hand cut, shaped, and assembled muslin and organza bloom with ivory vintage millinery stamens, adorned with vintage millinery leaves, and coque feathers. Attached to wire hair comb.

A trio of organza, and silk flowers embellished with clusters of white and guinea feathers. Attached to a wire hair comb.

A pairing of a pale pink muslin bloom with a pearl cluster center, with a fluffy ivory chiffon flower, embellished with hand beaded leaves, and white feathers.

This custom piece was made for my friend Emily's rehearsal dinner. She chose an ivory crepe and muslin rose bloom with smaller hydrangea buds and white coque feathers.

This piece was designed for Emily's wedding. Here we did a trio of blooms which included a pale pink muslin bloom with pearl cluster center, a chiffon ruffled bloom, and a dupioni silk flower, framed with white feathers and russian veil netting.

make it your own

A great way to personalize a wedding gown is to add a sash. It's really amazing how it can transform a gown and change the entire look of your style. It's also a nice addition to wear during your reception to give your dress a fun, flirty feel, or it can be the perfect compliment to add some sparkle or color. Here are a few sashes that I'd like to share:

White alencon lace motif with handbeaded glass pearls on a 1.5" wide

dusty rose silk grosgrain sash (measures 72" long).

Silk embroidered rose motif embellished with handsewn seedbeads

attached to a 1.25" taupe silk grosgrain sash (measures 72" long).

Silver glass beaded applique attached to a 1.5" wide dusty rose

silk grosgrain ribbon (measures 72" long).

spring preview

I'm excited to share some images of my latest pieces for my Spring collection. I've been obsessed with a new flower making technique that I've picked up, and here are the results; something amazingly romantic, feminine, soft, and just beautiful. I'm loving the subtle colors, wavy petals, and vintage millinery stamens. These pieces are made of a combination of muslin and crepe fabrics that have been stiffened, hand cut, shaped and assembled. It's a long process but completely worth it. Each bloom is attached to a wire hair comb and assembled with a gathering of coque feathers. It would be stunning slipped behind a loose, chignon, or tucked behind an ear.

real bride: emily

I was very flattered when my friend Miranda contacted me to help her design a hair piece for her sister Emily, who had a late summer wedding in Thailand. I ended up creating a magnolia bloom with a peach Swarovski crystal center, framed by a cluster of white coque feathers. Here are some gorgeous images of Emily and the special people in her life. Congratulations to the happy couple!!

Photo credit: Alice Hu & Serena Choi of Lovely Leaf Studios

bridesmaids accessories

Here are some photos of a few of the bridesmaids accessories that I made for Denise's wedding featured below. Each is unique and completely customizable to match any dress color. The sashes double as both a belt and headband, and can be worn with a ton of things like a cardigan for a casual look, or with a dress to add a dainty touch. The brooches double as a hair clip, and can be attached to anything from purses, to jackets, to headbands and more! These particular pieces were made from a combination of silk organza, taffeta, and tuille netting. I added guinea feathers for a rustic, organic look, and adorned the flowers with gemed centers and glass beads.

real bride: denise

Several months ago my childhood friend and makeup artist Michaela Yee asked me to create some wedding accessories for her boyfriend's sister's Fall nuptials. Without hesitation I happily agreed. Denise was such a lovely and easy bride to work with, entrusting Michaela with all her wedding decisions and design.

For the bride I created a dupioni silk gardenia flower fascinator accented with white goose feathers and a Swarovski pearl cluster center. This fascinator attached to a russian netting birdcage veil which was worn during the ceremony, and later removed for the reception. To adorn her neck I created a multi-strand pearl necklace joined by a vintage inspired jeweled clasp with a coordinating bracelet.

Since all the bridesmaids wore different dresses I created something a little different for each of the ladies but made sure to still retain the theme. Some wore their piece as a belt, or head band while others could wear their's as a brooch or hair clip. All wore pearl bracelets which matched the bride's.

Not only did Michaela plan and coordinate the wedding seamlessly, she also did the beautiful hair + makeup for the bride and the rest of the wedding party, not to mention her own as a bridesmaid as well! Impressive!!

Gorgeous photos taken by Lydia Chen Photography display how much thought and love went in to this wedding. Congratulations and best wishes to the beautiful bride and groom!

macaron madness

I have attempted to make french macarons way more times than I'd like to admit, and have been struggling with achieving success. So you can imagine my delight when a couple of friends invited me to take a macaron class with them. I was so proud of my macarons that I just had to share the end result!! Now, I just have to practice re-creating them...

french macarons with lemon buttercream, white chocolate pistachio, and chocolate ganache fillings.

doggie bag

Last week was my favorite nephew's 1st birthday. Kona is the silliest labradoodle ever with the sweetest personality. His favorite activities include cuddling, licking everything that comes near his mouth, and playing ALL the time! Being the spoiled pup that he is, I didn't want to buy him another toy or anymore snacks, so I decided to make a bag to tote around all his stuff. I found this great project on my idol martha's website.

This is a very simple project to do, and makes a lovely gift. I made mine a bit differently than how martha suggests, but either technique will work.

Supplies you will need:

• canvas tote bag
  
• fabric of your choice (size determined by size of desired image)
  
• double sided interfacing/ paperbacked adhesive such as pellon's "wonder under"
  
• iron
  
• scissors
  
• profile photo of your pet

Since my photo of Kona was a digital image, I went ahead and adjusted the contrast levels and size directly on my computer before printing. It helps to also grayscale your image, making the silhouette more clearly defined. If you don't have a photo editing program, you can always print your image, and resize and darken it on a copy machine. The size of the image is your choice. Take the paperbacked adhesive and iron it on to the back of your fabric, making sure to iron on the correct side (the fabric store will usually give you instructions along with your interfacing). Once the interfacing is completely adhered to your fabric you can tape or glue your printed image to the back. (Note: your final image will be the reverse of your original, so plan accordingly). Now just let your scissors do the work and cut away! After the silhouette is all cut out you can peel the paper backing of the adhesive and iron on the image to the to canvas bag. And... tadaa! You have a lovely, personalized tote bag.

Get creative and embellish. I added a bow to this tote, but you can use all sorts of ribbons and notions to make your bag unique. I hope you give it a try. No sewing required, I promise!

to each is own...

One person's junk is another person's treasure. The saying couldn't be more true.

Several weeks ago I made a trip to the navy base and headed to the Alameda Antique Fair. I was amazed by the endless rows of vendor booths and large crowds that followed. It was a gorgeous spring day with a clear view of the city. With an assortment of vintage textiles, jewelry, and accessories, I was lucky enough to bring home a lovely gemmed antique bracelet for $5! In addition, they have the most beautiful furniture ranging from french country, shabby chic to retro and georgian.

It is also a wonderful place when planning your own rustic chic wedding. With rows of colorful mason jars, boxes of vintage french lace, and a medley of dreamy milk glass vases, it's a DIY bride's dream come true!

The antique fair is a really great place to spend a Sunday morning. Some tips when visiting: leave after 9am as admission is only $5; go on a nice day, since there will usually be more vendors; wear comfortable walking shoes; and make sure you have plenty of time!

The fair is open on the first Sunday of every month. It's definitely worth checking out!

happenstance photoshoot

Several months ago, a group of friends and I got together for a photoshoot. With talented makeup artist Michaela from Makeup Design by Michaela, her skilled photographer friend Paul Bothwell, and my beautiful model Alison, we teamed up and had a great time! Everyone worked so hard, and it really shows. Many thanks to these talented artists!!

Here are a few of my faves:

egg hunt

With Easter and Mother's Day just around the corner, these wire wrapped bird's nest rings are the perfect gift. Hand made with love and care each ring is crafted with a trio of Swarovski crystal pearls and gold filled wire.

ringing in the new year... one button at a time!

I know the new year is well on its way, but I couldn't help but use that title! I've been a bit behind on my blogging, but had to rush to post this before January ended. : ) I've been creating button rings for quite some time now. I love how something so small can add so much to a look. It is a little known fact that you can find beauty in the least expected places, and buttons are a favorite to find such prettiness.

A medley of buttons I've collected over time.

With a little bit of love, care, and wire bending... ta da!!

the right cup of tea

I've aways felt that jewelry is the special element that completes a look. It should be personal, beautiful, and just right. Like the perfect cup of tea. It should complement your best features, and enhance your less noted ones. Especially on your wedding day. The day every woman should feel her most beautiful, elegant, and confident.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is doing custom work. It gives me a chance to create something personal and meaningful for someone on one of the biggest days of her life. It is something that will be seen in photographs by children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and future generations to come.

It's truly a wonderful feeling to know that you've in some way helped make someone feel their very best on such a special occasion.

Custom made pearl cluster drop earrings with swarovski crystal balls on gold filled french hooks. The bride wore a matching pearl bauble bracelet, hair comb, and flower dress clip.

classic, romantic, organic

With wedding season arriving just around the corner, I've been working hard to create new looks to suit all the different bridal styles out there.

Traditional, classic bride

I designed this piece with the classic, traditional bride in mind. With its understated elegance, this haircomb has just the right amount of sparkle and charm to add beauty to any look, without taking the focus away from the bride. I especially like the way this piece looks like a family heirloom, but I love the possibility of it becoming one even more!

Romantic, rustic bride

Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love delicate, feminine, rustic elements. I adore the whimsicle way these white peacock feathers gently move in the wind. A handmade pink, rosette bloom and white coque and peacock feathers, makes this piece the perfect addition for a romantic, rustic bride.

Organic, modern bride

These chiffon pom pom blooms are fun and cheerful, and bring a smile to my face everytime I clip one in my hair. Its clean lines, symmetric shape, and hint of guinea give this hair clip a modern, organic feel.

current obsession: antique buttons

I was very excited to visit BABE this year, the annual Bay Area Bead Extravaganza convention. It was my first time in attendance, and I was shocked by the large turn out of avid beaders! The room was filled with a multitude of various bead vendors, as well as demonstrations and classes. A particular vendor that I really enjoyed sold antique buttons.

I absolutely love going into antique shops. Its a trip back into time, and I love imagining the people who may have owned the items. Each piece is unique and rich in its own history and to me that's such a beautiful thing.

Take a look at these gorgeous jeweled buttons I found...

These date back to the early 40s, and even the mid 20's!

I'm looking forward to incorporating these vintage elements in my new pieces.

real bride: theresa

I had a great time working with Theresa. She is so down to earth, and has such a cool sense of style, which shows in her gorgeous purple themed wedding. Standing out from the typical bride, she was looking for something unique and different than the common white hair piece. Together we designed a look that matched her personality as well as her shoes : ), eventually leading us to this purple bloom that you see her wearing below.

The plum colored bloom is accented with lime green Swarovski crystals and guinea feathers.

Congrats to the very happy couple!

Photo credit: Gabriel Harber

a reason to smile

A couple of weeks ago I received a call from Pilar, the very sweet owner of Lilac Dress Boutique in Alameda. She called to ask if I would be willing to donate something for a raffle she was doing at her store. For years she has been donating to Smile Train, an organization that treats cleft lip and palate around the world, and she decided that a raffle would be a great way to raise awareness as well as funds.

This particular cause hits very close to my heart. Several years ago, I traveled to Rosarito, Mexico on behalf of Thousand Smiles, a similar organization. As a volunteer, I helped screen children suffering with cleft lip and cleft palate. It was hearbreaking to see how such deformities impaired simple functions such as eating, drinking, talking, and even smiling. Not only did these facial deformities impair their physical abilities, they hindered their social abilities even more. In addition to screening untreated patients, we also did checks with previous patients. It was truly amazing to see patients return with such confidence that shined through their smiles.

I really can't think of a better way to support such an amazing cause.


Tickets go for $10 each, and the raffle will go until late September. The goal is to raise $2,000 and help treat 4 kids. There will be 3 prizes. The grand prize will be comprised of dresses and clothing donated by designers including Susana Monaco, Nicole Miller, Butter by Nadia, Lynn Lugo, Kensie and more! The second prize will be jewelry and accessories by various designers including myself. And the third prize will be an assortment of different gift certificates including a haircut and facial!!


To learn more about any of the above information, visit Lilac Dress Boutique.
Photo credit: Lilac Dress Boutique

grace and charm

I was very flattered when my sister asked me to make her jewelry and hair piece for her wedding. I wanted to make her something that exuded grace and charm; two characteristics she embodies beautifully. I knew I wanted to carry out the same beaded detailing from her dress, and I did so in the flower as well as the jewelry. The magnolia flower is lightly framed in an cluster of goose feathers, and made of a combination of dupioni silk, french netting, and organza to give added texture, while the center is composed of various sized Swarovski crystals, and pearls. For the earrings I used Swarovski crystal tear drops as the base and a medley of different sized pearls and crystals that trickled along the chain.

Photo credit: Jerry Yoon