OK, Now What Bride

Special Bride Board: What's Your Valentine's Date-Night Style?

It finally happened - winter hit in mid-February. It snowed about three inches and the temp dropped thirty degrees overnight. We braved the cold and actually found a park and trails about five minutes from our place over the weekend. Between all the layers, snow pants and boots, it was one of the funnest dates we've ever had. But for Valentine's you'll probably want something a bit more refined for dinner and a movie. 

What're you doing tomorrow night? I've put together three special bride boards with my dream outfits. Whether you're usually jeans and ponytail or drama all the way, I'm sure you'll find one you love!

And if there are any of you that have that feeeling that he's going to pop the question, I especially want to hear from you. Email me and let me know how he does it and maybe you'll get a feature on OKNW Bride. xo

Downtown Casual

Dress it up with a slip or pair with leggings for casual chic. Minutiae Dropwaist Dress, Anthropologie, $128

Effortless and adorable to boot. Olympia Leather wedge, J. Crew, $198

Carry it all, perfectly mismatched. Perfect for running wedding errands. Embellished Native Clutch, Forever 21, $26.80

Layer for warmth and for looks. Dancer slip, Free People, $98

Top off the look with a striking hat. Sam Feather trim fedora, Free People, $128

Business Not As Usual

Sure, it's a work night but you can toss on a cute sweater over this work-appropo skirt and make it into a darling date look! Corded Dobby Stripe Skirt, Loft, $59.50

Mixed prints lend just the right amount of texture and playfulness.  Marta Printed tie neck blouse, Banana Republic, $69.50

Ribbit. You'll be kissing your prince by the end of the evening. Frog-clasp bracelet, J. Crew, $68

Your day shoes have just a bit of sparkle for night. Ron White, Bonnie pump, $525

Toss the work bag aside for this gorgeous leather and it'll pop with the navy wear. Optical Izzie Weave clutch, Cole Haan, $198

Vamp Chic

Jaws will drop with this "wet-look" number. Cladiana Off The Shoulder Dress, BCBG, $248

A lovely go-to bag for night time. March by Marc Jacobs Classic Q clutch, $258

Wear these for Vday and then again for your bachelorette party. Versace, print suede pumps, $248.99

So handsome and chunky, he may want to wear it! Michael Kors Bradsaw watch, $250

 

Flirty and Floral for your Valentine: Gifts for You and Him

My husband and I have been together for almost 8 years. And he's never brought me flowers on Valentine's. Ever. But I love it. It's the days that are totally random, unexpected, that he'll walk in with an armful of orchids or a box will be waiting with lilies. I think that flowers are a beautiful and thoughtful way to show them how much they care. 

If you're thinking about arrangements for the wedding or simply a sweet bunch for your best friend or boyfriend, here are a few charming options that you may not have thought about before. And a few accessories to go with. I looove the milk bud vases - too adorable! 

1. A wedding favorite, dreamy blooms of lush peonies from Fifty Flowers, Blush Peonies, $179.99-$599.99 depending on month 

2. Too sweet for words! A swoon-worthy gift any time of year. Sweetheart's Note from Floral Art, $90

3. A little floral, a little flirty - gift a print to the sweetie that loves art. Rococo Dream 03 Blush Print, $30

4. A lot of charm for a steal. Place a grouping of floral or use for wedding place settings. Set of 5 Milky Bud Vases, $23.95

5. Simply unique and adorable, requires little watering. Surprise them with a handmade gift. Shell Button Duo, Pink Urchin and Airplant, $8.95

 

 

Something Sweet for your Sweetie: Updated Gifts In Lieu of the Heart-Shaped Box

I love chocolate. Sometimes I sit and think about how much I need a piece of smooth, rich chocolate. And then I go to the kitchen and eat half a bar. It's that bad. Yeah.

There are so many choices for sweets but none compare to a bite of the good stuff. And because there's only three days left, I'm sharing some of my favorites that don't come in the heart-shaped box. I included the cities and links so that you can overnight them in time for Valentine's. You can thank me later. I have more chocolate to attend to.

1. Say what you really mean. In dark chocolatey goodness. Customized dark chocolate, 15 letters, $23.49

2. I'm from Ann Arbor and Zingerman's is an institution not the be messed with. They use the top ingredients for - well, everything! Ann Arbor and Whole Foods Zzang Handmade Candy Bars, $6

3. Package it up in something sweet. Hearts and Roses clear box, $9.95 for 6

4. It's bacon. It's chocolate. How can you go wrong? Chicago and most Whole Foods locations Vosges Mo's Chocolate bar, $7.50

5. I discovered these gummy concoctions years ago and still dream about them. They're so hard to find! New York City Chocolate covered gummy bears, Dylan's Candy Bar, $15

 

 

At the Movies: My New Favorite Wedding Proposal

I'm almost speechless. Almost. I can't begin to fathom the amount of planning and logistics that went into this incomparable wedding proposal. Follow Matt's journey as he goes from asking permission of Ginny's dad all the way to the proposal. Watch on and be amazed!

More posts on Valentine's will follow this week. I just had to share this. 

Guest Writer: Christina Johnson on Destination Honeymoon Getaways

Over the weekend, I noticed that a ton of people on Facebook were flying somewhere, mostly to warm locations. It totally makes sense since the long, dark days start to take a toll this month on my brain. I could totally use a getaway.

February is also the height of wedding shopping and honeymoon booking season. When I "met" journalism major, Christina Johnson, via the online wedding circuit, I knew she'd be perfect to guest write about tropical and fantastic locales. Read on for some off-the-beaten-path ideas! Imagine Nice and southern France this time of year...

A honeymoon should be the most relaxing, romantic and intimate vacation of your life. However, if you choose to take your honeymoon at a resort populated with thousands of additional couples, the intimacy and romance can easily be lost. Consider choosing a more unique and exclusive honeymoon destination for your wedding vacation.  A place where truly special where the magic of your new marriage can be enjoyed as fully as possible. Here are four great places that fly under the radar that should be considered. 

1. Holbox Island: This island, while technically a part of Mexico, is very different from the traditional touristy resorts often found of Mexican coastal towns. In order to reach Holbox travelers will need to catch a ferry from the mainland, which cuts down on the amount of visitors and helps to make it a truly intimate spot. There are many luxury and upscale accommodation choices on the island, the majority of which are located on beachfront property. A popular choice of activity for tourists is to take tours out to sea to swim safely among the whale sharks, a truly amazing experience.

2. Nice: Although many people think that when it comes to French destinations, Paris is the city of love, Nice actually gives it quite the run for its money. Rather than touring tall buildings and city streets, a honeymoon in Nice provides newlyweds with incredible Mediterranean beaches, a beautiful port and plenty to see and do. Cliff walks or strolls through the old town at sunset are very romantic and rarely busy, even in peak seasons. To find an almost empty beach, just head down the coast a few miles until a deserted spot appears and stay for the day.

3. Durban: Although few people think of South Africa as a honeymoon destination, there are actually hundreds of potential destinations. With miles and miles of shoreline, white sand beaches and reversed seasons to the Northern Hemisphere, South Africa is often the perfect honeymoon location for a winter wedding. The famous Golden Mile is the perfect place to relax in the sand, or try your hand at snorkeling, diving or even para sailing.

4. Palau: For a tropical honeymoon destination that is truly off the beaten path, try the Micronesian island of Palau. With a year round warm climate, stunning beaches and lush, tropical rainforests, Palau is the ideal exotic location for newlyweds who want privacy and romance on their honeymoon. As one of the best marine areas in the South Pacific Ocean, make sure you try diving in the deep blue waters while here. Or, climb into a submarine or a glass-bottomed boat to get the same marvelous effect.

Each of these incredible destinations makes for a unique and romantic honeymoon destination.  

Thank you so much, Christina! Now we can all dream about a getaway while we stare out our office windows. Happy Monday! 

Christina Johnson works for Elliman Prudential in the New York City Apartments and Rentals market.  She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career.  Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects. 

 

Trend or Not? : Paperless Wedding Invitations

I love paper. (Especially the Minted Stationery I was just going goo-goo over in the last post)!! Any and every kind of color, texture, fibrous or not. When I stumbled across Julie Benz's article, Why I Chose Paperless Post in the Huffington Post, I was a bit taken aback at first. I couldn't imagine a wedding world without lined envelopes and all the pretty parts of the invitation and the maps and cute lil' RSVP cards. When else do you get to color coordinate postage stamps?? Or do a custom logo with your initials and monograms?

But then I explored Paperless Post and I started coming around to all the adorable designs, the convenience and the thought of saving trees. I could see why people were inching that way. Maybe there's something to all of this. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Eucalyptus Save the Date

Hand painted peacock

Spec on Capri

Photo Spread Ivory