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Easter Best

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Commercially speaking, Easter doesn’t really get the attention Christmas does. No matter how hard the Bunny tries, he will always play second-fiddle to the Big Man. This is okay with me. I can only handle one big holiday a year, which is why Easter, the most low-key, is also perhaps my favorite. (Daisy photo from Country Dreaming.)

Growing up, I looked forward to getting the Easter basket. What kid doesn’t love a basket full of chocolate eggs, marshmallow candies, and a over-sized chocolate bunny? I couldn’t tell you what the basket looked like, but it had that green plastic grass in it that hid lots of chocolate treats. The Easter egg hunt was also a lot of fun. My brother and I would run around the house finding plastic eggs filled with jellybeans. My brother, four years younger, needed help from my parents

A grown-up Easter basket from All Decked Out Boutique

I wouldn’t mind a basket full of these delicious-looking cookies from Holiday Candy Lane.

The second part of Easter after the egg hunt and basket unveiling, was less exciting at least for a kid. It involved getting dressed in a new dress, going to church, and then having a big family dinner. Frilly white dresses with lace and Easter bonnets were popular among me and my fellow 10-year-olds.

A stylish hat from Katrina Couture.

Laid-back yellow halter dress from One Avian Daemon.

25 years later, Easter is a bit different. There are no baskets or Easter egg hunts. However, we still go to church in the morning, I still manage to eat chocolate, and we do have a big family dinner. Also, I always find an excuse to buy myself something new—not necessarily white and frilly, but something for Spring.

Halfpenny London

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I have resisted until now writing about what I think is the most exciting purchase in planning your wedding. The Dress. This is the one day you get the chance to wear something truly magnificent that makes you feel like a million dollars. In this month’s Cosmopolitan Bride there are some fabulous dresses featured from the catwalks in New York for the 2011 bridal shows earlier this year. Whilst there are some aspects of the dresses available off the rails of bridal shops that you may like, there are probably some that you really dislike. Another option is to have a dress designed and made just for you, either by a family friend or a member of your family or you can seek out a designer to work with to produce ‘your dress’.

Kate Halfpenny is a wedding dress designer based in London. Also with many years experience as a celebrity stylist and an impressive academic portfolio in textiles and design, including a BA Honours in Fashion Marketing and Manufacturing and holds a prestigious MA in Design for Textiles Futures from Central St. Martins College, London.

As a child Kate Halfpenny grew up in a creative environment, her mother was a talented knitwear designer and her father was qualified graphics and craft designer. This led her to try many arts and craft mediums including pottery, printing, jewellery design and fine art before following her passion in textiles.

By 2000 Kate Halfpenny’s knowledge and passion for the history of fashion and her ability to turn an idea into reality meant she was in demand as a costume designer for many brands, including Pepsi, Honda, Ghost and Hugo Boss among others. Kate has also styled many celebrities including Twiggy, Shirley Bassey, Daisy Lowe and Pixie Lott and Emilia Fox has even modeled dresses on Kate’s website. Kate Halfpenny has also made a dress for Kate Moss to wear for her 35th birthday celebrations.

Yet even with celebrity credentials Kate Halfpenny can design and create a beautiful dress for you. From her London studio Kate offers a bespoke dress making service so that you really can have the dress that your heart desires.

All images are taken from Kate Halfpennys website www.halfpennylondon.com with her full permission.

Falling for Red

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Along with the changing leaves and dropping temperatures comes the new fall fashion and color trends. I already reported on capes and leopard print, and last but not least is the color red. I have to admit that the only red thing I own is lipstick, and that only goes on for special occasions, but that may change this season. The color red screams confidence and strength, and, well, who doesn’t want more of that?

A red party dress is the perfect way to stand out in a crowd of little black dresses. This silk option by Ikvot ha Mashiach has wonderful detailing–a series of sweet ruffles and pleats–coupled with a classic and universally flattering cut that accents the smallest part of your waist. Paired with a simple heel and jewelry, this dress is sure to turn heads.

This poncho by Sandmaiden is handmade from beautiful red hand-dyed wool jersey. It features a peter pan collar and belted closure, as well as a sophisticated cut that can be worn casually with a pair of jeans or dressed up with a skirt and heels. If aren’t too eager to wear red this season, this poncho comes in nine other colors. Best of all, it’s sewn to your specific measurements.

A red purse is a great way to make a statement with color this season. This leather option by Art On Crafts is perfect for work or running errands on the weekend. It features a zipper closure, both interior and exterior pockets, and plenty of room for all your odds and ends. The detailing on this bag is excellent; I love the larger zipper pulls and white stitching.

My mom always told me I should wear more red. This year I’m going to take her advice and pair my red lipstick with an equally red and stunning dress!

**The painting featured at the top of this post was created by Shira Sela.