Wedding Hair.

I made it. I was engaged for 513 days, I planned my dream wedding, and I lived to write about it. Happily, I can say that the day was everything I hoped for and more. Phew.

Returning to this blog after the wedding has required me to think less about my wedding. While I daydream about that unforgettable day quite frequently, I finally feel like I can write about something else. Almost. Many of you have written me for wedding details so I've decided to come back today with just that. Starting with my hair.

Wedding hair. Yet another detail to consider on your journey to the big day. The most important hair style of your life, since you will be looking at the photos for the next hundred years. Think of the money you will be spending on photos! Do you want all of that to go to waste when you hide your wedding album like an old middle school yearbook? No you don't. No pressure though.

When I started thinking about it, I wanted the hair style I chose for my big day to check off the following categories:

1) I wanted to look like me.
 It could not be a style that I would be trying for the first time. I had to feel comfortable in it.

2) The hair should fit my dress and accessories.
I wore a statement accessory and a dramatic dress so I knew that I wanted a simple hair style that wouldn't fight the rest of my look.

3) The hair should do the setting, and the occasion, justice.
Nothing too casual for the black tie evening affair.

My first thought was to wear my hair all down. It covered off on the first category- in my everyday I usually wear my hair down. However, since my normal 'undone' look often ends up in my face, I quickly crossed this off the list.

I thought about wearing it half up, but it made me look like a Disney princess in my dress. No thank you.

Then suddenly, my inspiration: the 2012 Golden Globes. (Interestingly enough, my wedding dress was inspired by the 2011 Golden Globes!) Charlize Theron, Emma Stone, Sarah Hyland, and Stacy Kiebler walked the red carpet in my must-have look.

The winning 'do? A low-side chignon.

Fresh, romantic, and slightly undone. More formal than hair all down, yet not as harsh and formal as hair all tightly up. Undone modern glam is my go-to everyday look of choice so this was a perfect fit.


Here is the final look at my hair (and makeup) trial.

Michelle DeVoe at Demiche did a beautiful job.

Finally, when it came time to decide on a hair style for my beautiful bridesmaids, I realized the low side chignon was a style I loved for everyone. Turns out we all part our hair on the same side, so everyone was happy with their final look. They looked stunning.

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.

Take Time to Smell the Roses.

When my Vogue arrives in the mail each month I never open it. Pouring over its perfumed pages is one of my favorite rituals so I wait for the day I can delve in uninterrupted. However, the days of sitting down next to a candle with a cup of coffee in my favorite silk robe have been few and far between lately. Between planning the wedding, working, and still attempting to accomplish daily household tasks, I haven't had a lot of 'free' time and sadly, my favorite ritual has been moved to the time spent under the dryer at my hair color appointments... Until today.

I had a quick minute to download the new Vogue application on my iPad (so psyched it's finally here!) and when I saw that the next issue was already available I couldn't resist taking a peek. This shoot stopped me in my tracks and forced me to give my favorite ritual the time and respect it deserved. It was a much needed distraction in my day and I had to share this fashion moment with you.

Kate Moss + haute couture + Ritz Paris = Stunning. I couldn't tear my eyes away. The shoot took place at Ritz Paris before they close their doors for renovation. The fashion is modeled by the one and only Kate Moss. Is there anything more glamourous?!

{Images via Vogue.com}

These images sum up my dreams... Spoiler alert if you are attending my wedding.  ;)

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.

My Uniform.

As a stylist, you would think that I spend all day creating new outfits for myself. Daydreaming in my closet and conjuring up the next incredibly creative look that I will put on. Yes, when there is time, I love to shop my own closet. But the truth is, lately time has been a precious, and rare, commodity. Between my personal clients, planning my wedding, and working on commercial shoots, there is little time for outfit planning these days.


For many people, a uniform is the outfit they reach for on a daily basis. Often times, this narrow view of one's own closet becomes a fashion rut that they need help coming out of. I have Everyday Runway clients that have worn the same outfit for years! In my opinion, a uniform should be that item (or outfit) you reach for when you need effortless style in a hurry. Tried and true, you feel amazing in it, and you never have to think about whether you are dressed appropriately for the occasion. The closest thing I have to a uniform is my go-to silk blouse. Yes, I have it in several different colors and prints, but it is the common in my formula for easy style when I don't have a lot of time.


Why you need an Equipment silk blouse:


1. In the right color, it's a classic.
A beautiful silk blouse always makes my list of the top 10 items every woman should have in her wardrobe. Wear it alone or as a fabulous layering piece. This blouse is appropriate for all ages and body types. And with proper care, you will wear it for years.


2. It's comfortable.
In the fashion world, that is a big deal. I can move in it. And the feeling of silk on my skin never gets old.


3. Your boyfriend/fiance/husband will thank you.
I get the undone sexy look of my fiances' masculine work shirts while wearing my own clothes. (And his stay unwrinkled.)


4. The possible outfit combinations are endless!


Let me show you.


Refined. - This blouse is perfect for the office and is age appropriate for more mature women when paired with a beautiful wide leg trouser. Olivia Palermo has polished style down to a science.

Playful. - For the younger audience, dress it down. Put this blouse with a pair of great shorts and don't be afraid to load on the accessories for a more complete and age appropriate look.

Easygoing style. - This blouse is just right with a casual cargo pant or your favorite pair of jeans. Add a nice bag, good belt, hot shoes, lipstick, and... viola! You have your outfit. Wear it anywhere.

Date night. - Gorgeous with a harem pant, mini skirt, dressed up shorts, or pencil skirt. Dress it up with heels, jewelry, and a pretty clutch. Check out Lauren Conrad's youthful take on this look in black silk shorts.

Bold and Sexy. - Give the sheer versions a try. My absolute favorite look when I go out is a silky camisole or gorgeous lacy bra (Agent Provocateur and Le Mystere make lingerie too beautiful to always be covered up) underneath one of these shirts with a skirt or pant. It's feminine, glamourous, sexy, and unexpected at the same time.

You have now seen this Equipment silk blouse worn with wide leg pants, shorts, jeans, khakis, colored jeans, cargo pants, skirts, and leather pants. Everyone has at least three of these bottoms in their wardrobe.

Wear the Equipment silk blouse with high waisted pants or jeans and tuck in the shirt to accentuate your waist. Wear the blouse untucked with a skinny leg pant to camouflage wider hips or a small belly. Be sure to size up if you have a larger bust to avoid any pull between the buttons. The way you tuck in the shirt is also a method for making great new looks. Consider giving it a lose flirty knot in the front for another feminine twist.


Not convinced yet? Here are some more celebrities who love this blouse as much as I do.

Are you still here? You should be off surfing the web to purchase this shirt! Equipment silk blouse is available here, here, and here. Prices range from $208 to $220 depending on the color, print, and cut. A little steep, but so worth it. 


What is your uniform?


Treat everyday like you are on the runway.

I Dare You.

I am always looking for a way to simplify my beauty routine. However, I'm not always successful.


Hits:
Light Colored Nail Polishes- Chips and smudges are less noticeable. And if you don't have time to get to the nail salon the following week, new nail growth is also less noticeable. (As compared to my favorite red polishes.) Bonus: these light shades make your fingers look longer and more feminine.

Misses: 
Tinted Moisturizer- Not moisturizing enough. And the makeup part seems to melt off my face or change color by midday.
Lip/Cheek Stains- Yes, they stay on all day. But they are so messy and need to be applied so carefully that my routine ends up taking longer. (Though I do love Benetint when I have some extra get ready time.)

Enter hot pink lipsticks, my new Hit. They are not for everyone, but don't knock them before you try them. They were one of the biggest trends on the runways for Spring/Summer 2011 and worth a try in your everyday. Here's why:


- A bright shade can simplify your beauty regime because you don't need to wear much else on your face. You can skip blush, powder, bronzer, even foundation because these shades tend to look better on a glowing (vs. matte) moisturized face anyway. 


- A bright lipstick can be the perfect pick me up on a grey rainy day. 


- A bright lipstick draws attention away from your eyes on a day when it looks like you haven't slept in a week. 


- A bright lipstick exudes confidence, which is always a good thing!


- A bright lipstick can act as an accessory on an otherwise understated look. Skip the jewelry one day!


All you really need to pull off hot pink lipstick is some mascara and concealer. (Loose powder is optional.) Just make sure you pick the right shade for you. For this 'runway' to 'realway' look, I chose a hot pink with bluish undertones. It is bright, but not fluorescent like some of those pictured above. It looks more like this one that Fergie is wearing.

Going to try a bright shade and not in a rush? Here are some tips to make your bold color last longer.  Start by powdering your lips. This acts like a primer that the color will adhere to better than a naked lip. Then try a lip stain or line your entire lip to avoid the dark edge that happens when the lipstick begins to wear off the center of your lips. Run lipstick over your lips one time and dab your finger to blend the color for best results.


My new favorite? It's called Cosmic Raspberry by Bobbi Brown. It is long wear formula and it has SPF 12. Click on 'My Favorite Things' for all of my favorites and links to buy.

So readers, what do you think? Do you dare?


Treat everyday like you are on the runway.