Thursday Dance Party: Too Fake

Go on.  Rock out to this one.  It'll make you want to prance and strut around.

I do, every time.

Although that could be just me...

Punk Rock Bride Launch Party

The long awaited Punk Rock Bride launch party was last Thursday! Stephanie's studio looked great, especially with the new addition of a graffiti mural. Though the showroom was filled with people and soft light, the collection's clean, edgy vibe was present and accounted for. Punk Rock Bride's uniquely beautiful 2010 gowns mixed and mingled with the guests against the backdrop of her modern space.

Our dress, Grace, was the first gown I saw when I walked in (on the right.) It was amazing to see it in person! The brocade Stephanie chose was even more gorgeous in person.  Its texture gave the fabric incredible luster and substance.  Balanced by the soft chiffon neckline, the whole effect was edgy, soft, and romantic all at once.

I kind of love the dress on the right:

Here it is again:

Then I saw some friends, got distracted, and forgot to take more pictures until right before I left.  Blame it on the weather. After being cooped up so long from the crazy snow we had, it was the first time I had seen my industry pals in awhile!

Punk Rock Photoshoot

Now for the fun part!

With Grace completed, Stephanie was ready to take the Punk Rock Bride 2010 collection up to NYC for a photoshoot. Grace was the last gown to be shot that day, so Laurie, the make-up artist, freshened up Stephanie's model, Jae.

(all images by Stephanie/Punk Rock Bride)

Laurie's make-up kit is no joke.

Grace was shot in three different locations.  The first was in front of an ornately engraved black door. It was a little cold (45 degrees!), but Jae is a total pro and made it look anything but!

It was bright and sunny out, which was nice for everyone's moods but not for the photos! Believe it or not, direct sunlight is not ideal or the most flattering for pictures, so Stephanie's photographer was constantly adjusting to get the right images.

The next location was a park bench...and Jae is showing none of the exhaustion everyone on the shoot was feeling.

At last it was time to shoot at the final location...

In between each shot, Stephanie had to straighten Grace's skirt since the wind kept pushing it all over.

Then they were done!

Stephanie promises to send along the final images from the photoshoot (can't wait). Until then, check back tomorrow for a peek into the Punk Rock Bride 2010 collection launch party!

DI-Why Not Challenge #11: Organdy Corsage

Oh, Martha.

It's been awhile.

Long enough that I am ready for another go.  This time, at your darling little wrist corsage. You even provide a template for this one, so it must be simple, right?

image via Martha Stewart Weddings

Psssst...Free Tickets!

Baltimore Bride's Aisle Style event is this Sunday, March 7.  Wanna score a free ticket?

It's buy one, get one free, baby...a special for Foxy readers! Just click here, type in the promo code "foxy" and off you go!  

At Baltimore Bride's Aisle Style, you'll get to check out staged event themes by some of the area's best event designers (with a Q&A on how to do it yourself), and there will be giveaways, gift bags, mimosas, and more. Area vendors like SugarBakers Cakes, Bella Bridesmaid, Betsy Robinson's Bridal, Just Ink On Paper, and Wicked Willow Floral will be there, along with several others (here's a list).

Most importantly, Baltimore Bride's Aisle Style benefits The Priceless Gown Project.  Bring those old bridesmaid and prom dresses lurking about to the event and donate on the spot!

Thursday Dance Party: Hit It!

OMG.

1988.  I was 13, at my first boy-girl non-birthday party that someone had snuck a can of Natty Light to. Everyone felt very grown up. I just felt awkward and wished I were at home.

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock were on the stereo.

...I'm not internationally known, but I'm known to rock the microphone...

 

DI-Why Not Challenge #10: Canvas Doily Tote (Part 2)

The case of the missing brushes totally derailed me! Who wants to do a DIY in the middle of the week at night when they just want to hang out with their husband and watch Pawn Stars?

I sallied forth, determined to complete a DIY that would wind up the way it was supposed to and be relatively painless.

This project was doomed from the start.

I laid everything out (again) including the brushes:

Whipped out my spray glue and adhered that sucker to the bag.  It didn't stick.  Picking up the doily, it occurred to me that the sticky part should face the bag. So, flipping the doily, I pressed it down as the directions indicated and, sure enough, it stayed. (This really did happen. I know. I am embarrassed to admit how not good at this stuff I am.)

OK.  Sorted.

Now, I was ready for the paint.  Using my awesome brushes, I began painting all the openings in the doily white. I admit I had ideas of making these again and getting all creative with the colors, maybe even giving one as a gift to my niece.

That is until I discovered the doily would not lay flush against the bag, as it had been folded within its packaging.  So, some parts of the doily laid nicely, and others created little overpasses above the fabric. This meant I had to stick the brush through some of the holes and swish it around awkwardly, all in my attempts to be thorough and wind up with a cool looking tote.

Once the doily was painted, according to the instructions from Ashley Anne/With This Ring/Design*Sponge, I was to peel the doily off the bag before it dried.

The big reveal! I had such high hopes...

This is when I figured out that the doily tote DIY is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Even though it looks artsy in a messy I-did-this-at-home kind of way, it certainly does not look as crisp and as nice as the one featured on the blog trifecta of With this Ring, Design*Sponge, and Ashley Anne.

Now, before you guys tell me it's not that bad, remember, it's supposed to look like this:

The tote in the image from the original DIY literally looks like it's been screenpainted on, which is 100% not the result I got.

I am not even going to TRY the initial, by the way, so don't ask.

It took me an hour and cost me $20 for all the supplies. In my book, so not worth it.

Maybe I used the wrong brushes or paint? Maybe it was the glue? Maybe I am not made for painting projects?

We'll never know.

Check back later (maybe tomorrow or Friday? I'm unpredictable like that!) for next week's challenge!