Oscar Fashion 2012

Did you stay up and watch the 2012 Oscars? Yep, of course I was watching from the beginning of the Red Carpet Fashion up until the very last award. I'm always a sucker for girls in pretty dresses.

These are my favorite dresses of the night. Who did you like!?

Actress Michelle Williams wore a coral Louis Vuitton peplum dress with a ruched bottom and small bow detail on the waist. My favorite part was the adorable bows on her cinched waist.

Did you watch EVERY Dawson's Creek episode like me!!? 

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Octavia Spencer wore a white sparkling Tadashi Shoji dress at the Oscars. She looked AMAZING and made me tear after watching her accept her award for her amazing performance in “The Help”.

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Emma Stone wore Giambattista Valli at the Oscars. She had a lot of criticism for this dress, but I LOVED it! Plus she was hilarious up on stage with Ben Stiller as she presented for the first time. She was wonderful in "The Help".

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Giuliana Rancic wore a fabulous intricately detailed gown by Tony Ward at the Oscars. Probably my FAVORITE and I wish I was able to see more of it and see it in person!!

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Sandra Bullock Oscars gown by Marchesa was also a hit or miss with reviews. Her black-and-white silk crepe gown with gold embroidered detail around the waist "lacks the typical Marchesa girliness and sparkle, but an elegantly draped back is a classic detail of the red carpet favorites". I personally loved the waist details and the drop back. Others thought it looked ill-fitted. What are your thoughts?

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Louise Roe wore a "blush colored, long-sleeved gown by contemporary brand Black Halo which she accessorized with the raddest ring of the night and a romantic side bun. Glamour magazine's new fashion editor, Louise Roe, cut an elegant silhouette on the red carpet in a nude, structured dress with plunging neckline. The gown, which was custom-made for Roe, was complimented by a metallic Kara Ross snakeskin clutch and Jacqueline Nerguizian cocktail ring". LOVED her hair and of course her British accent!

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Sigh, I'm so sad it's over, but at least we will have more tonight on all the trashy entertainment shows who will be recapping the awards and fashion!!

Happy Valentine's Day

♥ ♥ Three years ago I went on the BEST 1st date ever, since I met my wonderful husband Christopher Mayville..... awwwww cheesey I know. But seriously we had so much fun on our 1st date. I even met his crazy aunts & uncles on that date. Yep, I fit right in and they all felt like home. Chris' family is so welcoming, they have the biggest hearts even if his mom doesn't want to admit it and his dad is a big teddy bear. Over the past 3 years I have been able to meet many of his friends and family and he has met some of mine too. I'm so thankful that I said yes to going on a date with some stranger who was in the Army and on okcupid.com, and I'm also so thankful that he said yes to marrying me with all my "baggage". Happy Valentines to everyone out there and remember to keep your heart OPEN. ♥ ♥

Read more about our story here: my intimate savannah wedding

My hubby's favorite new treat is homemade chocolate marshmallows made by a mother daughter team in Savannah. 

Don't they look delicious?!!

What are you doing for Valentine's Day? Do you have a great 1st date story to share? 

Or maybe how you and your husband met? Share!!

Savannah Magazine Behind the Veil 2012

Yesterday I had a BLAST mingling with some of Savannah's finest Wedding Professionals at Savannah Magazine Behind the Veil. I did not have a booth at the event since I really wanted to attend the brunch before the doors opened to the bridal show and hear Wedding Guru, Christopher Confero speak! Boy was it worth it!! He was so inspiring and FUN!

The VIP Champagne Brunch was held at the Avia Hotel before the bridal event started. 
Our menu including this amazing selection:
Savannah Honey Bee Roasted Pea, Asher Blue Cheese, Candied Pecans, Atisan Lettuce, Blood Orange Vinaigrette 
Poached Free Range Chicken Breast, Wild Mushrooms, Caramelized Shallots filled Crepes, with Asparagus
Sorbet with Fresh Berries
Flower centerpieces were created by Garden on the Square

Here is what I took from Christopher Confero:

Christopher is from Alabama, he oozes creativity, personality, and has a list of accomplishments. He is a contributor to Alabama Magazine and his work has been featured in several issues of Birmingham Home & Garden magazine.

He spoke about how to utilize trends within your wedding style: 

• Treat your 150 guests like royalty rather than 250 like paupers.
• QUALITY is better than quantity
• Don't invited people who you haven't seen in over 2 years
• Make your wedding couple specific - what you like, not what your mom or friends or Martha Stewart Magazine likes. 
• Your save-the-dates are the first impression you will give your guests about your wedding so make it count.
• Try not to incorporate EVERY popular wedding trend, choose what makes sense to you and incorporate it into your wedding decor in a non-overwhelming way.
• Edit, Edit, Edit: Take out unneeded items that are burdening your budget.
• Your ceremony is one area that can be cut back on, if you need to make cuts since your guest will spend the least amount of time there.
• Create a space within your reception that has an interesting visual plane, have tall, short, medium centerpieces. Don't have it be all the exact same at every table, mix it up.
• Make sure your wedding planner/stylist, florist, baker all know what you DON'T like since that is just as important as what you do like.

Tablescape create by Elizabeth Demos (left) & Meg Sutton (right)

I also attended the Behind the Veil Expert Lecture Panel with Elizabeth Demos {I am obsessed with her work, seriously!}, Jade + Matthews Photography, Raymond Anaya of Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, and Equinox Jazz.

Some key points I felt were super important:

• Remember to EXPERIENCE your wedding day!! Don't have the "Bridal Blur"
• Relax, roll with it, and have fun with your friends and family!
• If you are having a wedding with 100+ guests in Savannah hire your vendors 12 months out, including ME (wink, wink).

{Pin it Friday} Free Printable Valentine's Day Cupcake Flags

Source: julieannart.com via Layla on Pinterest

{Bright Idea Thursday} Groom's Cake

Where do you have the grooms cake? What's the history of the grooms cake?

GOOD QUESTIONS! Here are some resources for you to read and help make your decision. My husband and I had such a small wedding we did not even have a rehearsal dinner and decided to just have 1 small cake that we each got to choose the flavors for "our" layer, but since I love chocolate we actually went with a little non-traditional look and had chocolate frosting. We also probably won the messiest cake cutting award!

Photos by Nicki Bursae Photography

Traditionally, groom's cakes were served at the wedding. Years ago, you could only get a wedding cake in one flavor. To give guests options, brides (initially in the US South) introduced a second cake. The bride choose the wedding cake flavor, and the groom chose a different flavor for the second cake (hence "groom's cake"). Now, in most wedding cakes you can get each layer as a separate flavor, basically making the grooms cake more of a tradition than a functional component of a wedding. Here in the south, most people have the grooms cake at the reception, not the rehearsal dinner. http://answers.yahoo.com

A long-standing tradition in the southern United States, a groom's cake is a gift from the bride to the groom. Think back to a scene in "Steel Magnolias" where all the women are having a discussion about a red and gray cake in the shape of an armadillo. That armadillo was the groom's cake Shelby was planning to give her husband-to-be. (Probably one of my favorite movies, and I STILL cry at the end!) A groom's cake is typically smaller than the couple's wedding cake, one layer only, and is decorated to reflect a particular hobby or interest of the groom. or example, a hockey fan's groom's cake may be made in the shape and color of a hockey puck. The groom who enjoys shooting hoops could have a groom's cake resembling a basketball. If the groom likes to strum a few tunes from time to time, then a guitar groom's cake is perfect. 

Simply Savannah Events: Guest Post on Soundtrack to I Do

Today I have a guest post on a fellow TWIPS page, Soundtrack to I Do. Colleen's blog is a great resource for finding musical inspiration to choreograph your special moments. Head over to my post to read about my favorite 1st Dance Songs. Click here: www.soundtracktoido.com

{Pin it Friday} HOT Shoes

Source: ruffledblog.com via Layla on Pinterest

Skirt Savannah Magazine February 2012 Issue

I am still in amazement, you have no idea how fun and exciting this is. Skirt magazine came over to The Wedding Studios and took a lot of pictures of me posing in different areas of the space using the beautiful light that was coming thru the windows that day. It was REALLY weird having pictures taken of of me and posing for that long! The girls from Skirt were so nice and fun to hang out with that it helped me feel more comfortable.Online version of this magazine issue is live http://savannah.skirt.com/247/meet-layla-mayville

Meet Layla Mayville, the owner of event planning Simply Savannah Events. She specializes in intimate coordinating and Eco-friendly ideas with Lowcountry charm and a vintage twist.
My desk: full of inspiration
Favorite Restaurant: Green Truck Pub
Words I live by: "Keep Calm and Carry On"
My muse: unique handmade and re-purposed details
Favorite shoes: my sparkly TOMS
Where I shop locally: TailsSpin, Nourish, Savannah Bee Co.
My workout: Zumba
Favorite Flower: sunflowers
Zodiac sign: ambitious Capricorn
Dream vacation: Tuscany
My pets: 3 cats: TY, Willow, and Sassy, and my dog, Missy
Guilty pleasure: Lake Champlain Chocolates from Vermont
Where I get my coffee: Ogeechee Rive Coffee Co.
3 People I want at my dream dinner: Martha Stewart, Sarah McLachlan and my late father.

{Organic Wednesday} Way Out Wax

Way Out Wax was founded in 1992 with a vision to produce hand-crafted works of art utilizing socially and environmentally responsible business practices. They firmly believe in the "Triple Bottom Line" (People, Planet...then, Profit).

APPROACH
They believe that healing botanical essences should be accessible and incorporated into every aspect of daily life. They're committed to producing high-quality, truly healthy products with integrity—products that represent the powerful connection between individuals and the environment.

Their wax is 100% natural and biodegradable. They use 100% soy wax in all of the container candles. Their scents come from 100% pure essential oils without any dyes or synthetic fragrance. None of their products contain additives. All of their products are handcrafted in Vermont. 

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Keep bugs away the all-natural way!  Their three blends utilize Mother Nature's best defenses (pure plant essences) to effectively deter insects in a way that's safe for you and the environment. These 100% GMO-free soy wax candles and water-based sprays were created with the same integrity as all of their other products: Clean, Pure & Natural. Now you can enjoy effective insect control without compromise!

Non-Scents Collection knows how to act accordingly. These finely crafted, hand-poured candles are made with their high-quality, long-burning wax blends without essential oils. 

http://www.wayoutwax.com/weddings.html

If you're planning a special event, they can help!
Are you looking for the perfect addition to the centerpiece for your wedding reception?
Unsure of how to give a unique and meaningful gift to your guests?
Send friends and family home with a memorable keepsake!

Elegant candlelight will never go out of style and with a minimum order of 150 candles, you can create a personalized label to celebrate your special event. Whether you're looking for large freestanding pillars or votive candles for your ceremony or celebration, let Way Out Wax shed some light on your gathering.

www.wayoutwax.com
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