Our Magical Wedding- Part One (Getting ready with your bridal party, plus hotel room must haves!)

(Location: The Ravel Hotel. Dress purchased at Kleinfelds in NYC. Photo by Glenmar Studio)

Our wedding day was the most magical day I could have ever dreamed of.  The weather was incredible… clear skies with a breeze, no rain, hardly a cloud in the bright blue sky.  We were blessed. It had rained almost every day previously, and every day after, but it was a gorgeous day on July 29th, 2018 in NYC.  We didn’t take this for granted.

There was so much planning and work that went into it, that I thought I’d wait until afterwards to post a blog series chronicling the entire process!

We just got our photos back from Glenmar Studio, so I thought it was the perfect time to share the incredible experience we had!

In the next several blog posts, I plan on detailing everything that went into making our wedding day as incredible as it was.  As perfect as the day may sound, make no mistake, the planning was stressful, the expenses piled up, and there were a ton of things I wish I had known ahead of time.  But hindsight is 20/20, and now that I have gone through it, I can certainly help anyone who’s planning a wedding to learn from my mistakes, and I can share tips and insight on how to make the most of your special day!!

Part 1 of this series is going to focus on your bridal party, and getting ready for the big day!! Yay!! 🍾🥂

My best friends were my bridesmaids, and I am so lucky to have them.  From the moment I asked them to be in my wedding, I immediately started thinking about dresses, shoes, jewelry, hair, makeup, and matching robes to wear while getting ready! Not to mention special gifts for them!

 My goal was to find dresses that would be flattering on every single one of them, and would also make them feel comfortable. I also didn’t want all this to cost a fortune, so with some searching, and trial and error, I was able to get everything I wanted, and stay within my budget. (Sort of! Kind of? lol)

First off… the robes. 

(Robes are from ETSY! Link HERE.)

For the night before my wedding, I booked the girls and I a room in the gorgeous Ravel Hotel.  The view is incredible and it’s right next door to our wedding venue, The Foundry. 

I wanted us to all have matching robes for photos, but since there was 5 of us, that can get expensive pretty quickly. Luckily, I found the perfect ones on ETSY.  Stylish, affordable, and unique!  They were floral, came in a ton of colors, and they were customizable! Perfect!  I ordered the white floral Bride robe for myself, one Maid of Honor robe, and 3 Bridesmaids robes for the rest of my girls.  They were comfortable, arrived quickly, and were beyond gorgeous for photos! Great buy!  I highly recommend! Link HERE to buy! 

Second… makeup!!! 

The process of narrowing down a makeup artist was daunting at first. I wanted someone who would be able to give me a natural look that still “looked like me”. At the same time, I wanted the girls to be able to customize the perfect look to fit their personality, so I needed someone versatile. After testing with a few other makeup artists that were great, but didn’t seem to “get me”, I found BEAUTINI!  Wow! I tested with Kathy Zikas, and she was beyond incredible. She was able to give me the dewy, glowing, natural look I wanted for my indoor/outdoor Summer wedding!

Added bonus, she gave me, and all the girls individual false lashes! They looked natural, lush, and full.  Some of the other girls wanted a more smokey eye, and darker makeup, which she accommodated beautifully. Everyone was happy with how they looked, and I was ecstatic!

(Snapshot of me and my amazing friend, and groomsman Dennis, who also got his makeup done by Beautini, and loved it!!)

Beautini truly did a wonderful job, and made everyone photo ready! P.S… they also brought us complimentary champagne! How can you beat that?  🥂🍾

If you’re looking for a makeup artist for your wedding, or any event, look no further!

Third… gifts, and jewelry for your bridal party!

(Crystal butterfly rings by Gucci. 🦋 Purchase HERE or HERE.)

When I asked my bridesmaids to be a part of this incredibly special day, I wanted to get them each a gift as a thank you for being there for me and standing by my side. I also wanted to get them something they could wear on the day of the wedding. When I saw Gucci’s new Butterfly line, I fell in love.  All their pieces were gorgeous and full of whimsy, but it was the rings that caught my eye. They were the perfect size, not too big, but certainly not small. The sparkle on them was incredible.  It’s the perfect Summer ring in my opinion.  🦋  Buy HERE!  And if you love butterflies, check out their Butterfly Choker HERE, and their Butterfly bracelet HERE.

Fourth… the bridesmaids dresses! 

When searching for dresses with the girls, there were two things that were most important. Finding a dress that would be flattering on everyone, and would also make them feel comfortable.  There are tons of dress styles out there, from off the shoulder, to lace, to floral, to a-line.  We searched at a few different places, including David’s Bridal, and Nordstrom, but finally found the perfect dress at BHLDN.

(My gorgeous bridesmaids in the Jenny Yoo Annabelle dress in cameo pink. Belts were custom made on ETSY, link HERE!)

(Posing on the balcony at The Ravel Hotel, before heading over for the ceremony)

I knew I wanted the dresses to be blush pink, and this Jenny Yoo dress was the perfect shade, and the ideal flattering cut. The a-line shape looked great on everyone, and the structured bust was just gorgeous. 🌟🌸 Plus, the price was super affordable, and every now and then, they have sales on this brand, so keep an eye out for that!

I knew the dresses needed belts to make them pop, but sadly all the belts were sold out at BHLDN.  Luckily, I found an incredible seller on ETSY that made me custom belts for all the girls! Her customer service was INCREDIBLE and I couldn’t recommend her more! Plus her pricing was incredible! Great value for a low price! The belts were STUNNING. Here’s a link to her store: Heirloom Garter Co. And the link to the belts I got my bridesmaids is HERE.  Buy the dresses HERE. 

Fifth… Let’s talk about shoes!

When shopping for wedding shoes, comfort was my first and main concern!  My husband and I had been taking ballroom dancing lessons with the incredible Daniela Del Giorno for the past 6 months to prepare for our first dance. (BTW, she’s amazing, and I highly recommend taking lessons with her!)  I wanted to make sure I had shoes that would allow me to dance without causing me unspeakable pain, or blisters! I also wanted shoes that I could walk around in, and dance all night without worrying about limping halfway through the day.

Luckily I found these gorgeous rhinestone encrusted heels that were perfect.  They are from the Jewel by Badgley Mischka collection! They were comfortable with a medium sized heel, and bonus… they matched my dress!  My Maid of Honor ended up buying a pair as well in their blush color to match her dress.  If you’re looking for stylish, yet comfortable shoes to boogie the night away, look no further! They were only around $100 bucks, but looked like a million! Buy them HERE!

(My beautiful bridesmaid, Thao, helping me on with my shoes)

Sixth… jewelry for the ceremony!

For the bridesmaids, I thought it would be best, and most elegant, to keep it simple. I got them these gorgeous studs and matching solitaire necklaces by Danori from Macy’s. They had just the right amount of sparkle that played off their crystal belts.  Perfect for any occasion! You can purchase the earrings HERE, and the necklace HERE!

Sixth, and last…. decor and extras for the wedding suite!

As I mentioned before, I booked us a room at The Ravel Hotel so we could stay there together the night before, and get ready together in the morning. Everyone brought different items, treats, and decorations to make the night special.

(Love balloon from ETSY.  Bridal cookies from ETSY.  Wifey clutch by Edie Parker)

Debbie, my maid of honor surprised me with these adorable wedding themed cookies from ETSY! They were as delicious as they were adorable! She also brought the LOVE balloon, also from ETSY. They were two perfect additions to the beautiful room.

I got the WIFEY clutch on sale at SAKS! It’s by Edie Parker, and I had been lusting after it for a long time, I was so happy to find it 60 percent off! Link to more Edie Parker clutches HERE!

My bridesmaid Thao surprised us with rose gold glitter for our Champagne! It bubbled over when we poured it in and put us in the mood to celebrate!

(Our gorgeous wedding invitation, in front of my stunning bouquet by Ivie Joy Flowers)

The incredible team at Glenmar Studio, who took these amazing photos, told me to bring along one of my wedding invitations for pictures, and I am so glad I did! It was a great way to capture every detail that made this wedding possible!

In the next several posts, I will be talking about designing my invitations, save the dates, picking a florist, (Ivie Joy was AMAZING), finding my perfect dress, and choosing our incredible venue. (The Foundry was a dream!)

There’s so much to talk about, I couldn’t possibly do it all in one post!

Stay tuned for news on my new Youtube Channel I am launching, where I will be talking about ways to save money on your wedding day, my favorite fashion finds, and what to splurge on, and what not to!

All the gorgeous photos on this post were done by the incredible Glenmar Studio! I will be doing a post on them coming up! Stay tuned!

XOXO

Julie Rose 🌹

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My picks for Shopbop’s 25% off sale!!!

    SHOPBOP is having their amazing sale right now, and you seriously need to take advantage!!!  20% off orders under $500!  25% off orders over $500!!! Just enter code EVENT18 at checkout!! 

Here are my favorite picks from the sale! I am getting ready to head to Florida for my bachelorette weekend, so my mind was on the perfect items to pack for a sunny weekend away! These pieces also work for Spring and Summer now that the weather is (finally) getting warmer!!!   

Look below for details and links to purchase!!! Which are your favorites???

xoxo

Happy Weekend!

                                                          Julie Rose 🌹

 

From left to right:

  1. Aquazzura Rendez Vous Flat Sandals  (Love the green and gold combo!)
  2.  Cult Gaia Acrylic Ark Bag (Perfect for the beach and nights out!)
  3.  Rebecca Minkoff Calista Bow Slides (Loving this print!)
  4.  Krewe Laveau Sunglasses (Love the side detailing!)
  5.  Sam Edelman Hilda Metal Box bag (Gorgeous! On sale plus extra off!)

 

From left to right:

  1. Coclico Shoes Glassy Platform Sandals (Loving this neutral color and platform!)
  2. BB Dakota Jack by BB Dakota Eloisa Sweater (Love the stripes & cutout shoulders!)
  3. Nixon Kensington leather watch (Must have!)
  4. Cupcakes and Cashmere Bryant Sweater (Love the details on this!)
  5. Endless Rose Cotton Eyelet Cold Shoulder Blouse (Perfect Spring blouse!)

 

From left to right:

  1. Suecomma Bonnie Embellished Two Band Slides (Green plus crystals?? Yes!)
  2. Nixon Lux Life Kensington Leather Watch (The green plus rose gold is stunning!)
  3. Gift Boutique Botanical Leaf Dessert Plates (Perfect dessert plates for Spring!)
  4. Ray-Ban mirrored aviator sunglasses (Must have staple)
  5. Clare V. Petit Henri Maison Drawstring Bag (Great price and color!)
  6. Charlotte Olympia Rose Garden Slipper Mules (Obsessed with this floral print!)

 

 

 

Candy Colored Leather Jackets for Spring

It may still feel like Winter in NYC, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream about Spring! I am loving these bright, candy colored leather jackets for warmer weather! They’re the perfect accessory to add a pop of color to your wardrobe. Priced from very affordable, to more expensive, here’s a range of my favorite picks for this season! Which are your favorite? Tell me in the comments! xo

Julie Rose 🌹

        TOP ROW from left to right:

 

         BOTTOM ROW from left to right: 

 

 

 

Sunshine On My Birthday

It’s been a while since I posted, and I have a lot to update you guys on! I’ve been busy planning our wedding for this July, which I will begin documenting on this blog! I’ve also been busy working on a few different projects, as well as starting a new health and fitness journey that I can’t wait to share with you all!

First though, here’s a post from my birthday this past Feb 21st! Incredibly, it was over 70 degrees that day…in NYC…in February!! It was a miracle!  Chris and I headed to Astoria Park to enjoy the weather and snap a few shots. All details and links to shop are  below!

Stay tuned for my next few posts on my new beauty routine for glowing skin, as well as inside info on all the major sales happening as Spring approaches!

XOXO

Julie Rose 🌹

Jacket:  Marc Jacobs (Sold out in pink but you can get it in light blue denim HERE ), also new Marc Jacobs styles HERE, and HERE. For other pink denim jackets, check out  THIS ONE, and THIS ONE. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Also HERE in tortoise. Bag GUCCI. This is seriously an amazing bag, it’s a wallet on a chain, and fits a ton! Other colors HERE and HERE.  Sneakers: Reebok.  Ring: GUCCI.  And get it in the gorgeous larger size HERE. 



Currently Craving: Pink Items for Spring

There may still be snow on the ground, but Spring is just around the corner, It’s always around this time of year that I start to go stir crazy from being inside too much.  The lack of sunlight also contributes to the winter blues…but shopping for new Spring items always puts a smile on my face.  I am loving this new baby pink hue that I’m seeing everywhere! It reminds me of soft pink cotton candy! What’s your favorite spring color?

Links below to all items!!!

FIRST ROW:

  1. VALENTINO Pink Mini Lock Bag
  2. GUCCI Dionysus Embroidered Suede Shoulder Bag
  3. AQUOLINA Pink Sugar Eau De Toilette

SECOND ROW:

  1. CURRENT/ELLIOTT  The Stiletto Distressed Mid-rise Skinny Jeans
  2. MARC JACOBS Shrunken Embellished Jacket (LOVE this pink denim!!)
  3. LIME CRIME Blondie Metallic Velvetine  Liquid Lipstick

THIRD ROW:

  1. DIOR Split Aviator Sunglasses
  2. GIVENCHY Mini Antigona Bag

SHOP THE POST BELOW!

 

My Current Obsessions- Holiday Edition

Hello! I hope everyone had an incredible Holiday season! I wanted to share some of my favorite items that I received for Christmas! I am totally in love with these pieces, each one is magical in it’s own way!  All links to purchase are below! What did you get for the holidays? Tell me in the comments! xoxo Julie Lanvin Love Ring My sweet friend Thao surprised me with this incredible Lanvin Love Ring for Christmas! It’s bold, stunning, and sparkles like crazy! Perfect statement ring with a beautiful message. #AllYouNeedIsLove  img_8182-jpg img_7682-jpg Speaking of love…I am head over heels for this YSL metallic heart bag! Perfect size for evenings out, and the color is amazing! Again, thank you Thao for being such an amazing friend!  Here’s this amazing bag in black: YSL Black Heart Bag (ON SALE TOO!),  and also here in leopard! YSL Leopard Heart Bag  img_8192LINKS: YSL HEART BAG.  LANVIN LOVE RING.   img_8516 img_8528 img_8529 This Lanvin Love Necklace is my favorite, and I wear it almost daily! (Even with t-shirts!l)  It’s by far one of my very favorite necklaces, and well worth the price! #BoldStatementNecklace  Here it is in the gold version! Gold Lanvin Love Necklace img_7381 fullsizerender-jpgAnyone who knows me knows that I have a serious obsession with opals. When I discovered Arik Kastan…that was it.  His jewelry designs are so unique and organic!  I love this Opal Mandala Ring for the little details.  The composition…the different sized stones.  It’s truly a work of art.  All of his rings are stunning. Check out his site!!

 

 

 

 

YSL PINK METALLIC HEART BAG, (Also in black HERE, and in leopard HERE, LANVIN LOVE NECKLACE, (And in gold HERE), LANVIN LOVE RING   Shop this look below:

Currently Obsessing Over…….OPALS

currently obsessing over: Opals

 

Ever since I was a young girl, I have been absolutely obsessed with opals.  I think it’s the numerous colors inside the stone that seem to shoot out like beams of light in every direction. Opals remind me of the universe, caught inside a small bubble.  There is definitely something mystical and mysterious about opals, and that’s exactly what draws me to them. It’s for this reason that I am loving all the opal jewelry that I’ve been seeing lately.  From delicate stacking rings, to stud earrings, and to larger statement rings and necklaces, opals seem to be everywhere lately.  (or maybe I am just looking for them! lol)  Above are some of my picks for delicate opal jewelry. In my opinion, Wwake is doing the best job of creating gorgeous, special, understated opal jewelry that showcases the beauty of opal, without being too “over the top.” It’s perfect for daily wear.   The designs on these pieces are amazing.  They’re  great for daily wear, the beach, and nights out! Links to everything below!

FIRST ROW: (From left to right)

1) Wwake Opal stud earrings 
2) Wwake Opal large 4-Step ring (Great for stacking!)

SECOND ROW:

1) Wwake 3 Step-Baloon ring 
2) Wwake Opal stud earrings (Love the style!)

THIRD ROW:

1) Wwake Opal hanging stud earring 
2) Wwake Opal ring with diamonds 

AND……if you are looking to make a bigger statement, and want a stunning opal ring that won’t cost a fortune, look no further than SAMANTHA WILLS!  I fell in love with her gorgeous signature Bardot Ring, available in this stunning opal for a limited time!! Sadly, it’s sold out now, but it’s not too late to get on the wait list!  Also, check out her other incredible Bardot rings HERE!

Samantha Wills Opal Ring (Samantha Wills Bardot ring in Opal)

 

Cool Summer

 

Earth tonesAstoria

The colors of the flowering trees this time of year are stunning!

Astoria (Pictured above: the incredible authentic Greek food at Taverna Kyclades in Astoria)

I have a love/hate relationship with Summer in NYC.  On one hand, I love the blooming flowers, the longer sunny days, and dining outside in the evenings.  But, NYC is also well known for it’s suffocating humidity.  Thankfully, we have been experiencing a milder Summer so far, and some days have even been cool.  On one of these cooler days, I met my best friend Debbie for lunch at Taverna Kyclades in Astoria. This Greek heaven usually  has a line down the block, with people waiting for at least an hour on average to get in on busy nights.   They don’t take reservations, and they don’t have to.  It’s simply the best, most authentic Greek food in Astoria.  They are also known for their extremely fresh fish, with the selection changing daily. If you’re in the Astoria, NYC area, definitely stop by!

I like cooler summer days. It gave me an excuse to wear my beige Theory coat. The color is perfect for Spring/Summer, and it’s just the perfect weight. Details on everything below!

XOXOXO
Julie

Coat: Theory (similar HERE ON SALE!!!!), Jeans: J Brand, Clutch: Antik Batik (Similar HERE and HERE),  Boots: Rag and Bone, Rings: YSL and Maison Margiela, Bracelet: Vita Fede, Sunglasses: Karen Walker Northern Lights 

Currently Craving: Summer Jewelry

Summer Jewelry 2015

 

Summer alway makes me want to wear bold, statement jewelry to decorate all the skin we expose in this hot weather. I love these pieces because they are bright, ornate, and perfect for a trip to the beach, or a nighttime cocktails! Links below to everything!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
XOXOXO
Julie

First Row:

1) PAMELA LOVE OPAL ARROWHEAD RING (Yes, this one is way too expensive, but I loved the style, so here are more affordable alternatives HERE, and HERE.
2) HOUSE OF HARLOW TURKANA RING  (LOVE this, and great price!)

Second Row:

1) PAMELA LOVE SHOOTING ARROW EARRINGS (Perfect subtle statement)
2) DANNIGO EZRA CRYSTAL STATMENT NECKLACE (Perfect with maxi dresses)
3) SAMANTHA WILLS BOHEMIAN BARDOT RING (I am loving all her designs)

Bottom Row:

1) KELLY WEARSTLER PERFORATED RING (Love the openness of the design)
2) EDDIE BORGO FLAT COLLAR TRIANGLE NECKLACE (perfect statement necklace to go with everything!)

 

Snowmageddon 2015

SNOW DAY

SNOW DAY SNOW DAY SNOW DAY
SNOW DAY SNOW DAY 7SNOW DAY SNOW DAY IT’S SNOWMAGEDDON 2015 IN NYC!  Baby…..it’s cold outside!  Really cold! 
I’m back after a long hiatus! I got busy acting in, and co-producing a play, and took some time off!  I am happy to be back, and hope to go back to posting more often!  I had fun in the blizzard today with my boyfriend Chris, who snapped these photos with my very cold, and wet iPhone. lol  Stay warm and safe East Coast! 
XOXOXO
 JULIE 😉

Coat: Mackage, Hat: Markus Lupfer, Boots: Sorel, Lipstick: Melt Cosmetics, Jeans: J Brand