Designer of the Week: Monique Lhuillier

Weddings, to me, are magical. It's one day where the entire focus is coming together, becoming a family and celebrating love that is not easy to find. One of my absolute favorite wedding dress designers is Monique Lhuillier. She has feminine, fashion infused gowns, and as a fan of simple lace mermaid style gowns, hers are perfection.

Bliss 2012

Monique Lhuillier attended FIDM and after marrying her husband Tom Bugbee, now CEO of her couture line, she opened her fashion business in LA after frustration over how few wedding gowns had elements of fashion.

pre fall '11 Bridal

spring 2012 Bridal

From the success of her fabulous Bridal line, Monique Lhuillier also designs a ready to wear line and couture line for other formal dresses, besides bridal. Here are a few of my favorites:

resort 2012

resort 2012

Ready to Wear Fall 2011

spring 2012 Ready to Wear

Hope y'all enjoyed this preview of Monique Lhuillier!

May the Prada be with you

Leah

Giving Thanks

Well, if y'all didn't know, it's Thanksgiving. Before I go spend some time with my crazy whacky family and grandparents, I wanted to make a list of a few things I have to be thankful for, though in reality there is more than I could possibly list.

 I am thankful for my two wonderful cousins who took me into their home so I could have the most amazing summer of my life attending fashion school in San Francisco. I know that not everyone gets a close bond with their cousins like I have, and I am grateful to say my cousins are my best friends. San Francisco was inspiring and life changing and gratitude isn't an adequate word to express my feelings at being able to experience it.

 I am thankful for the Bernard family, who take me in like I'm one of their own (I certainly look like it-I'm the one on the far right by the way) and are so kind and gracious to me. I am thankful to have a loving group of blondes to hang with and grateful for the vacations as well as the moral support they provide. I am especially thankful for my very best friend, Alie.

 I am thankful for friends who stay in contact and love each other and have a good time even when separated by thousands of miles. This is one of many oovoos we had, which would sometimes get to five or six people at a time oovooing from Canada to San Francisco to New York to Colorado.

 I am grateful for adventure! I'm thankful for all the new experiences I've had this year, such as indoor skydiving, and for the courage to try them all.

 I am thankful for my precious dog-even when she isn't as well groomed as she is in this picture.

 I am grateful for these two gingers, a) for wearing the ginger shirts Alie and I bought them and b) for being teachers, friends, leaders and big sisters to us. They take such good care of us and are so loving and kind. They do more than anyone else for a group of high schoolers and are my heroes. I am so thankful to have role models like them.

 I am thankful for my best friend, my sister, my partner in crime and "my person" Alie. (If you didn't get the Grey's anatomy reference-I'm her Grey, she's my Christina.) She helps me through thick and thin, never fails to make me laugh, helps me go past my comfort zone and always has my back even at ungodly hours of the night.

I'm thankful for these two noobs who are my Crossing friends, and thankful for how much they have helped me explore my faith and dig deeper with Jesus.

I'm thankful for my two precious sisters and for their spunk, laughter and companionship.

For things not pictured I am thankful for my brother, parents, and all the people who support me day in and day out. I am thankful for fashion, and for the creative outlet it provides me. I am thankful for being nearly half way through junior year, which really is as hard as everyone says. I'm grateful for country music, and for my blue jeep liberty.

Hope everyone's having a blessed Thanksgiving!

May the Prada be with you

Leah

Check List

Hello all! So remember when I said I'd be a lot better...yeah that didn't happen. I'm trying though. On my check list for getting the blog back up in running:
find camera battery charger
make time for shoots when still light out
show all the cool DIY stuff I've found
organize my closet
post, post, post

Anywho, I borrowed my best friend's camera to take a shot of my new staples for winter that coincided perfectly for my weekend up in the mountains. This is comfy. This is chic. This is laid back and effortless and above all for a snowy and cold Colorado winter, warm.

Sweater: Nordstrom, Necklace: Forever XXI, Leggings: Nordstrom, Boots: BP Nordstrom, Socks: Urban Outfitters

Yes indeed, my checklist for this winter is primarily focused on the following:

Sweaters

Leggings

Boot Socks

Boots

And let me tell you, these boots are amazing. They're brown faux leather with a heel hidden underneath and a simple sleek design that goes with everything while also very chic. And I love fun winter patterned boot socks peeking out, especially ones that add a pop of color. And it's so cozy!

Of course, I am not at all closed minded when it comes to clothes, and other must haves on my winter shopping list range from sequined everything, to infinity scarves to beaded tops and dresses. However I definitely feel that this winter is really based on effortless, laid back chic with a pop of something sparkly for more formal affairs.

I promise to try much harder, (with the exception of finals week-no promises) and I am going to try to get through some shoots and editing during my week off!

May the Prada be with you

Leah