Tiki Weekend: An Inspiration Sneaky Peeky

Hey all!  We have been busy busy here at Goldiluxe!  Planning for Tiki Weekend is wrapping up and the builds have begun!  But, before I get into that, I thought I might share a couple of images from our upcoming Inspiration Board post.

As most of you know, I joined Pinterest awhile ago and am LOVING it!  I deviated from my usual process and built my inspiration board there!  The result was wonderful!  You, of course can judge for yourself a little later...

This brilliant little idea comes from Style Me Pretty via the blog Creature Comforts (and was actually from a guest post by Miss Kayte Terry.  She can be found here, here and here.)  Creature Comforts is a brilliant little style/inspiration/DIY blog and honey, it's like she's writing it for me.  We made some significant changes to this idea to fit our theme and our overall aesthetic and I think it worked out really well.  I am, of course working on a how-to post for our version of this, so I'll be able to tell you all about it.  Stay tuned!

These little guys came to me from my favorite baking supplies shop, Chicago's Layer Cake Shop.  While I did end up purchasing about a billion of these little guys, this picture really help us distill our vision.  For me, it reminded me to add texture, color and a little spice to our design.  And most importantly, they're ah-dorable!

So there you have it, your first peek into our 'Tiki Weekend' inspiration board.

Tiki Weekend: A Tale of Two Invites

Hello there, my precious Goldilous!  I thought y'all might be interested to see what we have been up to, here at Goldiluxe!  As some of you may know (especially those of you following me on Pinterest) Allison and I are teaming up for a tiki party!  Can I just say how much fun I'm having with this one!  So much so, that we've come up with two invites!  Here's your first look:

 

I love this one!  I love the bright, warm color palette.  When I look at it, I think of the colors in the travel posters of the later 50's and 60's.  The hibiscus flowers at top and the little tiki idol guys at the bottom really bring it home for me.  But, then there's this...

It's pretty great, right?!  You'll notice the cute pineapple, lime, olive border at the top...taken straight outta Allison's Tiki Weekend fabric (so freakin' cute, bee tee dubs).  I really love the soft ombre effect in the background of this invite.  And the big tiki idol has got to be my favorite thing about this invite.  Even though it's a decidedly cooler color palette than the first one, I still think it says, "Retro summer fun over here!"

We'll choose our invite and send them in beautiful pool envelopes from Paper Source.

I can't wait to share more Tiki fabulousness with you!

Some News...

Hello, darlings!  How I've missed you!  These last few weeks have been super busy for us here at Goldiluxe.  We have been designing our little tushies off with no end in sight.  Sadly, that means I have neglected you.  Well, let me be honest when I say that I have sooo many amazing things to share with you! 

Now, I know that I have, quite possibly, the most fabulously stylish and creative readers in the history of ever!  I know that, you know that and now I want to share your soiree brilliance with the whole blog-o-sphere!  So I'm sooo happy to introduce to you a new, regular segment:

Luxe Life

I want to see what you've been up to, so we are finally open for submissions!  No event is to small!  While our new electronic infrastructure is being redesigned, I suggest you get on over to Twitter, follow me and message me for details!  For now, you can click on the "Luxe Life" tab for guidelines.

I cannot wait to see what you have up your little sleeves!

Goldiluxe Explains: Suit Up!

Hey there, Goldiluxe!

We love your blog! However, we noticed that the content is a little lady-centric, if you will. My man and I would love to read more stuff "for the boys". Just a little FYI. So, tell us, what  suity type options are out there for two fab guys like us?

Well, hello darlings! I will absolutely include more content of the manly kind. I have several exciting projects underway...I hope you'll join me!

Now, to answer your question...

{ morning coat } This is a formal option more suited to ceremonies set in the morning or early afternoon. You see morning coats usually in grey or black, but as with most things the times are a-changin'. You'll notice that a true morning coat has a broad tail in the back ( a major difference from the traditional suit). They are most commonly worn with a bow tie or an ascot.

 (The morning coat, or cutaway.  Delicious, yes?)

{ blazer} The blazer is a perfect option if you are having a more casual, non fussy affair. My advice for picking a great blazer? 1. Choose a cut and color that "suits" you. 2. Find a versatile style that will withstand the test of time.

A happy man in a blazer.  A great sight to see.

 

{ white tie and tails } This option is definitely the most formal and the most traditional. It is exclusively seen at evening weddings. The jacket is usually black wool with the iconic double tail silhouette.

 A gorgeous vintage album cover featuring white tie and tails. I love the 30's and, since you are reading my blog, so do you.

{ white dinner jacket } A lovely (and my personal fave) option that totes works for a number of different occasions (including:  summer, late-afternoon or evening).  Most commonly paired with a chic, black trouser.

One of the most delicious men in the history of ever, wearing what is quite possibly the single most delicious piece of men's clothing (that's right, I used "delicious" twice in the same sentence...so sue me, it's Sean Connery)

  {tuxedo } The most common attire seen in formal, late afternoon and evening weddings.

David Beckham.  Wearing a tuxedo...Armani, I think?

There you have it, darlings.  Four fab options for what I'm sure will  be a fantastic day!  I wish you all the love you can fit in the sky.  Thanks for writing me, I love getting mail...even if it is electronic.

You Asked For It: Smooth Sailing

Hi there Goldiluxe!


Our wedding day is coming up fast and and just need a little advice.  What are some little, stress-free things I can do to make sure the day goes smoothly?


Thanks!

Well, hello darlin'! I certainly do have a few tips up my sleeve...try these on for size:


Schedule a little morning alone time with your sweetheart.  Start the day by remembering why you're there.

Eat small, healthy snacks throughout the day to avoid both faintness brought on by hunger and bloat brought on by a big meal.

Stay hydrated! It helps to designate a bridesmaid to keep track of healthy snacks and a bottle of water.

Keep a small steamer on hand to deal with last minute wrinkles.

Baby {Shower} By Goldiluxe: Vendor Spotlight

I am finally giving the people what they want!  You have flooded my inbox with requests for details on the recent baby shower I designed with my good friend and Auntie-to-Be, Miss Allison C. Beilke.  So here we go!

We spent a lot of time designing a super cute sweets table as the focal point of the shower.  Using the invitation as inspiration I went to town collecting all the cute in the tri-state area.  Which brings me to my favorite vendor.  Chicago's own Layer Cake Shop.  Take a look...

My order!  Couldn't you just die of the cute?!

Okay.  Here's the skinny. Based in Chicago and run by a pair of peppy party practicioners, Layer Cake Shop carries vintage inspired baking supplies.  And how!  They've everything you could ever want!  Let me put it like this: I could spend an hour writing about all of the ah-MAZING things in store for you.  For the shower I ordered treat bags, decorating sugars and baking cups.  The website is deliciously colored, easy to navigate and meticulously organized.  The product pictures were surprisingly true to color!  For me, the biggest and most wonderful thing about Layer Cake Shop is the superior quality merch at affordable prices.

Seriously, I could go on all day.  But I won't.  I'll tell you about the adorbs blog and website and let you check it out!

Goldiluxe Explains: A Veil{ed} Attempt

Happy Monday, Y'all! I'm back from a short, but much needed bloggy break. How about a little glossary action for your Monday afternoon?

{Blusher} Blushers can be either a portion of an existing veil that covers your face or its own separate piece. It is worn covering the face and is typically lifted for the "kiss your bride" moment. Blushers are the most traditional and widely recognizable veil and can be worn to any length in front, but is usually not gathered.

 

  Blushers always remind me of movie weddings from Hollywood's Golden Age. I always imagine Cary Grant or Virginia Mayo or some other glamorous couple....

{Dropped} A flat, streamlined piece of tulle fastened anywhere on the head with hairpins and a comb.

Ah, an iconic picture of the fabulous Grace Kelley. What a ridiculously beautiful dropped veil. Isn't she just the living end? Sigh...

  

{Gathered} Gathered veils typically have rounded edges and the entire width is gathered across the top. This is the most common shape for bridal veils and works well with a blusher because it falls behind your face when worn back. Adding gathers increases the volume the veil.

  

{Mantilla} The mantilla is of traditional Spanish origin. It was made popular by Queen Isabel II in the mid-1800s (fun fact, no?) They are basically a large circle or oval made of chiffon or a likewise translucent fabric and usually feature lace details. Mantilla veils are worn flat for a very sleek, sheer look.

A lovely mantilla.

{Petal} A petal veil is generally made from three or more oblong oval pieces attached across the back of a headpiece. The veil hangs down to form "petals" around the bride's head and back. Petal veils are available in a number of lengths.

A cute, shoulder length petal veil.

 Photo Credits: 
1. veil u bridal dot com 
2. the delicateblog dot com 
3. my online wedding help 
4. get married dot com