Oh Joy!

bhldn sneak peek {part 3}... 14 Feb 2011

If you haven't seen yet, the new BHLDN collection launched today! Here's the last part of my recap from the special blogger preview last week {see part 1 and part 2}. BHLDN not only puts emphasis on apparel, but on every detail of the wedding itself with decor items {cake toppers, glassware, lanterns, and DIY-like items} launching later this year in May. Here are some close-ups of my favorite details from the event as well as a few photos of me & my fellow bloggers playing dress up! There's me with Emily & Joanna on the top left, and Erin on the bottom right! — Joy

{most photos by Oh Joy, blogger portraits by Emily and BHLDN, all dresses/shoes by BHLDN}

bhldn sneak peek {part 2}... 11 Feb 2011

For those of you who don't need a wedding dress, but do need {or want} a great party dress, this Part 2 BHLDN sneak peek is for you! There was no shortage of color, pattern, textured details, and sparkle in the BHLDN party dress and accessory collection. I even found myself loving a 50's-inspired shift so much, I wore it during the final presentation from the BHLDN team when everyone else had already changed back into their own clothes {There's me and Amanda from Ruffled trying on dresses}! Whether you're in a wedding, going to a wedding, or just need a dress for date night, the dresses {ranging from $200-$600} complemented with shoes & accessories by various boutique companies like Ban.do, Jennifer Behr, Betty Muller, and more...give us all an excuse to have a little BHLDN in our lives. What do you guys think? What are you loving so far?

The BHLDN e-commerce site launches on Monday with the first yet-to-be-determined retail location in the works! Stay tuned for my Part 3...with some close-up details of more pieces...and some fun photos of my fellow bloggers-in-crime who attended the event! — Joy

{photos by Oh Joy}

bhldn sneak peek {part 1}... 10 Feb 2011

On Monday, February 14th, the new wedding brand BHLDN {pronouced "Beholden", inspired by the Dutch word for "to keep"} from the folks behind Anthropologie will launch to the delight and swoons of brides across the country. I was thrilled to have a chance to see a sneak peek of the new collection yesterday at their Philadelphia headquarters along with a dozen fellow bloggers for a special preview. And today, I'm thrilled to share these photos with you from this wonderful day.

The collection of wedding dresses, party dresses, shoes, jewelry, and accessories is full of amazing details, texture, and hand-crafted perfection. While the Anthropologie customer is certainly an influence, BHLDN is a new, separate brand that stands on its own two feet. Led by a team of amazingly talented designers and creatives, the pieces are an explosion of visual inspiration. Today, I'm starting with Part 1 of my three part sneak peek for you. Here are just a few of my favorite wedding dresses from the new debut collection. Ranging in price point from $1,000-4,000 for the debut season, the limited-edition pieces are meant to make a special day even more festive and fun. And, all dresses have free return shipping...so that you can be sure it's the one.

The collection seriously makes me want to get married all over again...or convince Bob to have a 5 year anniversary party so I can wear one of these amazing frocks! So feast your eyes on all the juicy details. Part 2, coming tomorrow, will be all about the party garb and accessories {for the bridal party or wedding guests or any party really}, followed by Part 3 on Monday with more decor, details, and snaps of us trying everything on. Enjoy! — Joy

{all photos by Oh Joy}

fun with friends... 26 Jan 2011

During the photo shoot for the new Ban.do collection, Jen & Jamie asked a few of their friends to join in on the glitzy superstar action. This meant...putting on a cute outfit, getting our hair & makeup done professionally, putting on a Ban.do {or several} to our heart's content, then making silly faces in their sexy shiny mylar photo booth...um, how could we say no?!? Here are a few fun shots from the day. You might see some familiar faces here for sure...role call: Bri, Amanda, Elizabeth, Jaimi, Catherine, Jen, Lydia, Shoko, Jaime, Margaux, and I'm in the polka dotted dress!} — Joy

{photos by Ban.do}

it's a party over here, a party over there... 24 Jan 2011

...seriously instant happiness...with the newest collection from Ban.do... — Joy

{shoe photos by Jen Gotch, all other photos by Max Wanger}

handmade weddings... 20 Jan 2011

Whether you're a bride or not, you can't help but be inspired to create an amazing party after flipping through the new book, Handmade Weddings by Sabrina & Eunice of Hello!Lucky and stylist Shana Faust. I love especially love the projects that can be applied to any kind of party...any day of the year! — Joy

{photos by Joseph De Leo}

a gardentop oasis in {new york}... 17 Jan 2011

This past weekend, I spent a quickie 36 hours in New York for a friend's black tie wedding at the Gramercy Park Hotel. During the time when I did live in New York, I had no idea that the hotel had such a beautiful rooftop club & garden space. It's seriously stunning and one of the most beautiful and unique wedding venues I've seen. It felt like being in an actual outdoor garden, yet with a beautiful view and in the middle of winter... — Joy

{iphone photos by Oh Joy using the Cross Process app}

food & flowers... 3 Jan 2011

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday & new year! I'm excited to be back and rested and starting the new year fresh with these gorgeous images. A mix of two of my favorite things mingling together so perfectly as styled and designed by Elizabeth Lewis of Austin-based The Nouveau Romantics.

{photos by The Nouveau Romantics and The Nichols}

a floaty rainbow tree... 17 Dec 2010

...this is all kinds of amazing...this must be what my dreams look like...

{from Fleur Wood's book, Food Fashion Friends}

a sweet masterpiece... 13 Dec 2010

A couple weeks ago, I posted about Maggie Austin's gorgeous cakes, so I'm thrilled to share these new bite-sized masterpieces of hers...hand-painted cookies! I'm especially in love with her Impressionist and Botanical series. If you can believe it, each one is individually painted by hand by Maggie herself...amazing!

{Photos by Maggie Austin. Holiday delivery still available if ordered by December 17th. $25 per cookie or $75/per quartet. Each collection is limited and numbered.}