{Inspiration} Art Deco

One of my absolute favourite design styles–for architecture, interior design, and fashion–is Art Deco. Art Deco emerged in Paris in the 1920s and spread internationally over the next 10 to 15 years. It’s influenced by several early 20th century art movements, including Neclassicism and cubism, along with the art of ancient civilizations. Art Deco, from my observations, is marked by geometric patterns with clean lines. It is simultaneously intricate and simple. For me, Art Deco also has a certain coolness factor that I haven’t identified in other art forms. Perhaps its birth during the Roaring 20s–as hemlines rose, bootleg liquor and ‘speakeasies’ proliferated, and Coco Chanel debuted the ‘little black dress’–lends an air of je ne sais quoi to Art Deco; but whatever it is, Art Deco has always, for me, symbolized cool, stylish, and chic.

I first fell in love with Art Deco during a a high school trip to New York City. I was enamoured by the architecture and interior design of buildings like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. I found the colours, shapes, and geometry glamorous, interesting, and surprisingly modern. A solo return trip to NYC in 2009 as a “more worldly” 29 year old continued, if not strengthened, my adoration of Art Deco.

When I got engaged, I really wanted to incorporate Art Deco into our wedding’s style. At the time, though, I wasn’t sure how to fuse Art Deco into my traditional Sikh ceremony and Punjabi reception. I thought the styles were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Also, when I discussed my interest in Art Deco with others, I often got blank stares; one potential vendor even said, condescendingly, “So…you’re artsy, eh?” (I am anything but.) I figured if these creative folk can’t help me, I must be off the mark. I dropped the idea.

But, as I’ve blogged over the past year and seen more weddings, I’ve been revisiting that idea and think that the drama and glamour of Art Deco are perfectly suited to South Asian weddings. With that in mind, I’ve been working on a series of posts exploring how Art Deco architecture, art, and fashion can inspire different elements of South Asian and fusion weddings. Over the next few days, I’ll share my musings and hope that I can also inspire new brides and grooms…and maybe even comfort some “off the mark” brides like me.

As a prelude to upcoming posts, I thought I’d share images of the interior design of some Art Deco buildings…as that is what most enthralls and inspires me.

xoxo,

LBB

{Image credits: Feature collage (Clockwise from Top Left): 1920s Fashion; BlogTO; Dreamstime; My Home Design ; Picture 1: my personal photo of the Chrysler Building; Pictures 2, 3, 4 all from Art Deco Weddings}

Lemon Truffle Designs {Decor Highlight}

Lemon Truffle Designs is a relatively recent event design & decor company to join the South Asian wedding industry. Amna Rather, founder of Lemon Truffle, started her design career in creative gift baskets and interior design. She fell into event design almost by accident when a corporate gift basket client asked her to decorate a holiday party –and she hasn’t looked back since! Amna took on her first wedding project last March and has  quickly developed an impressive portfolio.

Amna describes her style as “modern, chic, elegant and not overly traditional”. She loves playing with colours and textiles through the use of rich fabrics; she’s also a fan of shimmer and all things pretty. In her wedding designs, she tries to incorporate custom touches to give each wedding its unique and personal feel. When it comes to working with clients, Amna enjoys collaborating with couples who are involved in all aspects of the decor process.

Currently, Lemon Truffle’s services include the following: Design/Décor Consultation; Backdrop Design; Stage Décor; Chair covers; Linens; Centrepieces; Tablescapes; and Floral Design. Amna is planning to collaborate with photographers to provide styling and props for engagement shoots (an AWESOME idea!). She’s also aiming to expand on creative shoots this upcoming year. She collaborated in a spectacular vintage Alice in Wonderland creative shoot last year. Please check it out! If that shoot is any indication of her awesomeness, I cannot wait to see what else she has in store!

Below are images from Lemon Truffle Designs’ recent projects. What I appreciate about each project are the layers and details. I can definitely see the play of textures and colours; there is also an element of familiarity with the use of traditional colours coupled with elegant, glamorous, and sometimes unexpected details.

What a spectacular ceiling!! I love the cystal lanterns!!

For more decor goodness, please check out Lemon Truffle Designs’ website and Facebook page. And if you haven’t already, check out the beautiful Alice in Wonderland shoot.

xoxo,

LBB

{all images courtesy of Lemon Truffle Designs}

New Year, New Look

For the blog, that is. I already introduced a new personal look last month when I chopped off my hair. It was the best decision ever, and I am now addicted to the scissors!

New Look

So I spent an unreasonable amount of time editing and re-editing and obsessing over little details. I hope the new layout is cleaner and easier to follow, and I feel I can make most effective use of widgets and sidebars with this layout.

I also grew tired of my old banner and, with my limited photoshop skills, created the new one above. I think it’s a better representation of the blog itself, though I’m not sure I am 100% loving it.

So what do you think? Love/hate the new layout? Love/hate the new header?

New Categories

I deleted repetitive categories, created new ones, and re-categorized some posts. I’m aiming for fewer categories with titles that better represent the post’s content. I may continue to edit over the next little while.

New Vendors

I am also updating the vendors list, and I would love suggestions and recommendations. If you’ve had great experience with a vendor and the vendor is not listed on my site, LET ME KNOW!!

If, on the other hand, you are a vendor yourself and you meet the following criteria:

• excellent skill and ability
• innovative style and vision
• outstanding customer service

I would love to list you on the site. Please leave a comment or send me an email (littlebrownbride {at} gmail {dot} com). I believe strongly in giving due recognition to people who are skilled at their craft; but more importantly, I am interested in people who are personable, care genuinely about their clients, and–in more simple terms–are not douchebags. I am also here to support the “little guys”. I understand how tough this industry is, and I would love to give some exposure to those who are deserving.

Thanks for reading, and I’m looking forward to a new year of blogging!

xoxo,

LBB

Happy 2012!

2011 has been a roller coaster of a year for me; despite the highs and lows, it’s been a great ride and I’m looking forward to 2012.

I wish you all a very happy, prosperous 2012 that glitters like gold…and like my gold inspiration board!

Images L to R (clockwise): Wedding Trends; Ruffled Blog; Martha Stewart Weddings

xoxo,

LBB

Portraits of Beauty

We all know that, technically, a wedding is about two people coming together and making public vows of their commitments to each other; but we all also very well understand that a wedding is about the beauty and style of the Bride! Sorry, guys, but it’s true.

Below are portraits of two gorgeous brides shot by the dynamic photography duo, Sangeeta and Monty from Kumari Photo & Design. They captured the elegance and effortless beauty of both woman perfectly!! What I find captivating about these photos is that both brides have struck a fine balance between traditional and 21st century bridal looks. On the surface, they both have contrasting styles as their accessories and lenghas are quite different. But, interestingly their make up is  similar: both brides chose a neutral make up route, which highlighted their best features and really enabled their beauty and style to shine through.

Both brides are absolutely stunning and are truly portraits of modern and chic South Asian bridal beauty–in my opinion anyway! Enjoy!

For more pics of both weddings, go here and here.

xoxo,

LBB

Art Karat Exhibition in Mississauga-till December 4!

Image via Art Karat’s Facebook Page

It’s amazing how much you miss when you’re away for 8 days! I just learned that jewelers Art Karat is holding an exhibition show in Mississauga this weekend, highlighting their “Juhi Chawla” for Art Karat line.  Here are the details:

Wednesday NOV 30th to Sunday DEC 4th 2011. (5 DAYS)

Delta Meadowvale
6750 Mississauga Road
Mississauga, ON L5N 2L3

11am to 7pm

For more information please call 1.877.278.5272 or visit www.artkarat.com

xoxo,

LBB

 

Great Skin: A MUST for your Wedding Day

If there’s one thing you can give yourself on your wedding day, it’s good skin. Why?

• Make up goes on smoother and looks more natural
• Less foundation is needed because there’s less to cover up…and so less potential for the caked on look
• Make up application happens faster
• You will look flawless in pictures
• Plain and simple: good skin=happy skin=more confident bride=happy bride=happy wedding (ok maybe a bit of a stretch…but, I’m trying to prove a point)

I was really happy with the condition of my skin on my wedding day. My skin tends to be very sensitive, dry, and dehydrated, and I get eczema breakouts, which is exacerbated by stress, change in weather, diet, you name it. My goal was to have soft, supple, eczema-free skin on my wedding day, and I think I achieved it. My make up artist, Sherry Vanstone, even commented that the good condition of my skin meant she had to put on less make up, which led to a faster application.

So what did I do?

Good skin doesn’t happen over night. When I was a teenager and in my early twenties, my skin was awesome. As I get older, I still have pretty good skin, but it’s become increasingly sensitive. I started getting facials regularly about 3 years ago, so about 2 years before my wedding. However, the facials are not the key: the key is finding an amazing esthetician, an amazing spa, and products that are perfect for your skin. It’s all about maintenance, not quick fixes. One facial the week before your wedding will not produce miracles.

I’m not a make up artist or esthetician, but based on my experiences, here are my suggestions for awesome skin:

1. If you haven’t already, find a good esthetician and good spa and book a facial!! For recommendations, ask friends/family you know who have great skin and get regular facials.

Please don’t go to the $3 threading place in your neighbourhood for a discount facial–your skin will not like you!!

I highly recommend Pure + Simple Spa. Ladies (and men), it is honestly one of the best spas in the GTA. They combine European Esthetics with Ayurveda principles to create a holistic approach to skin care and all of their skin products are organic—heaven to my sensitive and reactive skin.

2. Go for regular facials. If you’re not engaged yet and your skin’s in ok condition, go at the change of every season when your skin tends to be most reactive.

3. Soon after you get engaged, get a facial, tell your esthetician you’re getting married and ask for advice regarding a facial schedule. She might recommend every 4 to 6 weeks, but if that’s financially prohibitive try to go at least every 8 weeks. Incorporate it into your wedding budget!!!!  What’s the point of paying $5000 for photography and $500 for make up if your skin looks like yucky?

4. If that still doesn’t convince you, at least ask your esthetician for a skin care regime to improve and maintain the condition of your skin–you might want to do some extra work on a regular basis on your own if you don’t want regular facials. And, please, ask an esthetician. Not the lady at Shoppers’ or the lady at the Clinique counter–they haven’t examined your skin under a giant light and, based on personal experience and friends’ experiences, they often “misdiagnose” your “skin problem” and recommend wack products.

5. Go for a facial a week before your wedding–not only will it help prepare your skin, but it will also offer some “ME” time before the onset of the wedding madness.

6. One common fear I hear from women is: “What if I react after my facial?” Well, that’s a good question. Avoiding a potential reaction only strengthens the importance of finding an esthetician you trust. If you go for a facial and you have a reaction, don’t go back. That means your skin was not properly assessed or treated. I have the most sensitive skin ever (I can’t even use products meant for sensitive skin), and I have not had a reaction after a facial–because my esthetician knows what she is doing!

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Any other ideas or suggestions for flawless skin?

xoxo,

LBB 🙂

The Custom Couture Experience: CTC West

It’s been a while since my last post–lots has been going on, but updates are for another day! I was recently contacted by CTC West to post some information about their custom designs and the upcoming Kismet Show…and given my great experience with CTC West’s customization process and how much I loved my reception lengha (which you can view again here), I thought it would be an appropriate post to get back to blogging! Enjoy!

By Ashley Iyer: A sweetheart neckline or a corset? Mermaid cut or A-Line?  Capped sleeves or straps? Every bride has a distinctive vision for her special day. Faced with a daunting to-do list, the most important one of them all is deciding on that wedding outfit. The endless array of colours and styles to choose from can often be dizzying. It takes the right combination of designer fashion and vision to create YOUR perfect look.

The CTC West Custom Couture experience was created for this very purpose, to assist you in selecting a CTC West design and altering the colour, shape and look to create a piece that truly embodies your vision.

With the combination of your vision and our expertise, every piece in the CTC West boutique can be customized, embellished, mixed and matched, to achieve a simplistic or intricate design.

CTC West Custom Couture translates this new blend into a unique couture piece, reflective of the bride-to-be. From traditional to modern to funky, CTC West Custom Couture manifests your dream outfit into reality, ensuring that you are glowing from the inside and out, on your special day.

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You can catch the CTC West 2012 Collection on the runway at this year’s Kismet Wedding show (September 18, 2011).

 

The Kismet Wedding Show is happening this Sunday, February 18 at the International Centre (Hall 1) in Mississauga, ON. If you go, please let me know how it is!

 

xoxo,

LBB (Glad to be back)

Bridalicious Vendor Spotlight: Decor

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I love wedding decor. It is one of my top priorities for wedding planning, and I pity the fool who dismisses decor as irrelevant. Attention to detail is what makes your wedding memorable, and decor is the way to show that attention and a way to represent you and your fiance.

The decor at Bridalicious was stunning! It was amazing to see the different ways the decorators interpreted the theme “Secret Garden”, and you definitely got a sense of their individual aesthetic and and artistic nature. My highlights are below!

Nisha Chandra Events

Nisha and I have been emailing back and forth for a few months, and it was such a pleasure meeting her at Bridalicious. She is an absolute delight, and I would love to work with her! I’ve got to be honest–I’m not a huge fan of green and yellow (don’t know why that is), but she converted me with her  table design!! It was romantic and unique, and I can totally imagine myself enjoying a lovely meal, good conversation, and (several) glasses of wine at the table. Incorporating a garden into the table and covering it with a glass top was magnifique! The only problem with me sitting at that table would be inhibiting my tactile-seeking behaviours–I love to TOUCH things, and I can imagine myself touching the flowers and moss under the tabletop all night. I actually wish I could touch the yellow flowers in the pictures right now!!

Sara Baig Designs

I LOVED Sara’s blue and white take on the garden theme. Maybe it was the blue/white combo, I just remember feeling serene while standing next to her table. The attention to detail was phenomenal, and I felt like a bit of a stalker because I couldn’t stop taking pictures! She had a hand-painted cookie, for goodness sake! I also had a long chat with Sara and I fell instantly for her warm disposition and approachable energy. She would be awesome to collaborate with!

Karma Design Studio

I didn’t really get a chance to speak Piyush, the Event Designer from Karma Design. The table setting was ELABORATE with the incredibly tall and detailed centrepiece. The table is not one that I would naturally gravitate towards, but I think that’s because I have an innate aversion to tall centrepieces. Maybe it’s because I’m short, and I’m traumatized by the many weddings I’ve attended where my view was blocked by a huge plant. Who knows? However, I can certainly appreciate the layers of thought and design that went into this table’s art.

Berries & Blooms

I unfortunately did not get to meet Natasha from Berries & Blooms, which is a full service floral and decor company. Natasha decorated two small round tables and had a special giveaway for a lucky raffle winner at Bridalicious. Based on her table designs, I didn’t get a good sense of her aesthetic and style–not to say that I didn’t like what she had. In fact, her centrepieces were pretty, but I guess compared to the other full tables, I left feeling a little underwhelmed.

The Perfect Setting

Naphisha provided the decor for my wedding, which I’ve raved about. She also provided the wider decor and set up for Bridalicious, and it was so great to run into her. I haven’t seen her since before the wedding! As usual, her work was pretty amazing. The centrepiece for this table is a great statement piece; it’s obviously not meant for a dinner table, but definitely great in the entrance or in the centre of a round, levelled buffet or dessert table.

More Bridalicious pics to come!

xoxo,

LBB

Bridalicious Fundamentals 2011

I had a great afternoon at Bridalicious today! It was wonderful meeting a couple fellow bloggers, some amazingly creative and friendly vendors and, more importantly, reconnecting with the wonderful people who helped make my wedding day incredibly memorable. Thank you to Arora Wedding & Event Planning, CTC West, Amplified Soul, G+H Photography, and The Perfect Setting for putting together another informative session.

I promise to post a more detailed description of the afternoon, but thought I’d post some pics from today’s event in the meantime. A caution about the pics: the lighting was beautiful in the venue, but not the greatest for taking pics…and I wouldn’t even label myself an amateur photographer…I just borrowed J’s camera and took some pics of things that look pretty!

xoxo,

LBB