I can hardly believe 2011 is drawing to a close! Its been a busy year full of changes and some really fun design projects. And speaking of changes… Santa Barbara Chic will be looking very different here soon, I’m working away getting everything ready and I’m hoping it will be done in the next few months.

And as I look back at 2011, I’m particularly proud of getting my home featured on Design*Sponge and a 5 page spread in You & Your Wedding Day magazine. But mostly, I was so honored to design my sweet sister’s wedding in London… I hope to show photos soon…

Here’s to a busy and bright 2012!

Even more “outtakes” this time of the vintage dresses used in the shoot. This dress I bought at a local thrift store for…. $25. I bought the gloves at the same store also for only… $20. The hat is mine, and is usually my hat for the Pasadena Flea. Here I wrapped it in peach tulle as inspired by Pollyanna…

I love this photo, she looks like such an elegant lady from 1910. The bouquet she’s holding is made from vintage millinery pieces and was made by my design partner in crime, Tricia Fountaine. Its actually for sale right here.

Tricia prop styled this picnic vignette… I love how the parasol frames the model’s face.

And I brought in Ms. Kaeley, the golden retriever. She actually just walked on set and sat down in the perfect spot.

For the final shot of the day, we went out to a dilapated stable at Rancho Dos Pueblos. The dress is super old (I’m guessing real 1910) and is Tricia’s. Its super tiny, the model, even as little as she is, barely shimmied into it.

 I love this photo, gorgeous dapple-y light and the details of the dress are stunning…

This shot was completely an accident, it just happened that a horse was being fed next to where we shooting, so we took full advantage of the rustic fence and gorgeous light…

There are so many gorgeous images that Kirsten of Beaux Arts Photographie shot for the Tea Time Editorial that I had to share them. The lovely Hannah of Monique Lhuillier was kind enough to let me borrow two amazing dresses, truly a Rachel Zoe ” I die” kind of moment.

This stunner is “Giada” from the Spring 2011. The beading details on this dress is insane in person.

The second dress was “Winter” from fall 2010. I was very happy to get this dress, it was part of the first Monique Lhuillier bridal show I’d ever attended in 2009. Here it is styled with a simple chain necklace and punched metal earrings, all from 33 Jewels.

We styled it a couple of different ways, here it is with a black hat and layered bohemian jewelry.

I love these Egyptian necklaces…

And of course, my dog, Mira, had to get in the picture.

And here she is again running with model, Eva St. Denis, around Rancho Dos Pueblos’ huge magnolia tree… Big thank you to Monique Lhuillier for letting us borrow these stunning wedding dresses!

The tea time shoot I designed & produced with Tricia Fountaine is up on Ruffled! Go check it out here.

Set in one of the old green house at Dos Pueblos, my inspiration was 1910 England.

We brought the story to life with a wardrobe mix of vintage dresses and some insane Monique Lhuillier wedding gowns.

It was so much fun to design… Enjoy!

Special thanks to the incredible vendor team:

Vera Wang’s collection for Fall 2012 was pure couture goodness. The color palette of black and nude definitely gave the collection an avant guarde feel, not to mention the elaborate bodice constructions of the nude gowns.

I particularly love the structured bodice of the dress on the right, that dress will make anyone’s waist look small. So what do you think? Would you wear a nude or black dress on your wedding day?

Photos via Brides.com.

Its that time of year… Monique Lhuillier is holding a sample sale on December 4th from 10am to 4pm in LA. Come on down for some incredible deals. Happy shopping!

I loved the simplicity of Amsale’s lastest wedding dress collection. Fuller skirts where shown, I particularly love the contrast in texture between the tulle and the satin.

 I love the simplicity of this classic ball gown with a sweetheart neckline. The asymmetrical, slightly Grecian feel of the dress on the right, would be so pretty at a garden wedding… Which one is your favorite?

All dresses, Amsale, Fall 2012.

The first show I attend was Romona Keveza and it was a show stopper. Inspired by Brigette Bardot, the theme was definitely glamorous, sexy and so very french. I love these bold red evening dresses!

The short white a-line dress is so flirty and fun, it would make quite the party dress. And I love the traditional meets modern take of the two bottom gowns, the  chiffon overlay is so pretty and etheral.

And then there was a string of black dresses and one slinky champagne dress. I love the neckline and the slit in the of the dress in upper right, which one is your fav?

Classic white shoes with a flirty blue tulle slip, perfection! Photo via Style Me Pretty.

Monique Lhuiller‘s fall 2012 wedding collection was as gorgeous and amazing as always. This year, the collection showed a lot of breadth in terms of level of formality and silhouettes.

The show started with several simple and casual short wedding dresses. These would be ideal for a beach or destination wedding or would serve well as a dress to change into for dancing. I love that she showed dresses with pockets!!

After that flowing, very romantic, empire wasted dresses came down the runaway. I loved the lace cap sleeves on the right and the criss cross detail on the left helps anyone’s waist look small.

Next up were a series of lace dresses in different silhouttes. I think my favorite is the lace dress with a very lady like slip. Its hint of sexy while still being wedding day appropriate.

After the lace series, classic ballgowns came down the runway. This one, had a slightly avant garde feel as it mixed lace and satin fabrics across the bust.

I personally loved this dress with its frothy skirt and slit!

Fitted full skirts, dropped waists, illusion necklines, and moderate trumps silhouttes rounded out the collection.

But, my personal favorites from this collection was this dress, emotion.

I loved the pulled, criss cross chiffon layer over the body, it was unexpected  and modern for Monique. The neckline is kind of to die for.

End of the show… so many pretties lined up in a row! So which dress was your favorite?

I love a pretty bouquet, especially when its light and ethereal…

I created this bouquet for a Bohemian themed photo shoot recently featured on Green Wedding Shoes.

Mixed with Bohemian green and gold jewelry and a lace dress, I would say the combo is down right pretty!

Photos by Beaux Arts Photographie. Styling and flower by Kelly Oshiro Design. Dress by Alina Pizzano. Jewelry from 33 Jewels. Bella Vista Estate, a private garden in Montecito.

The sweet Alina Pizzano just sent me her newest ready to wear collection. This season was inspired by the work of Frank Gehry. I love the etheral layers of the dress above, its soft and romantic, but definitely modern.

I love the modern, sculpted, layers of this dress, its definitely for a bride looking for a dash of drama in her wedding dress!

An updated version of the classic ball gown with a softer version of the sculpted layers. Which one is your favorite? To see more of Alina’s work, check out her website or visit her storefront in Pasadena.

Growing up, my sister and I would always assess the critical “spin factor” of any dress. Does your dress have it?

Shoesday’s bride’s dress, pretty fabulous no? Photos by Michele Waite.

And speaking of fashion, Vera Wang is having a sample sale this coming Sunday and Monday in New York City. Happy shopping!