David's Bridal

A New Style Council is in Office for David’s Bridal!

We are proud to introduce the 2013 Style Council! A notable stylist, a renowned wedding and proposal planner, a prominent financial-savvy advisor and a budget fashion expert have joined forces to “propose” their knowledge as part of the Style Council.  Be sure to check out each Style Council members bio to learn more about their area of expertise and keep an eye out for their upcoming posts on our blog!

2013 Style Council:

Sarah Pease –  The “I Do” Expert

Nikki Pennie – The Purveyor of Style

Catey Hill – The Money Maven

Carmen Ordonez – The Budget Fashion Aficionado

5 Key Classic Wardrobe Must-Haves

By Carmen Ordonez

With the start of the New Year, there’s nothing better than starting off with an organized closet (and getting rid of clothes you do not wear anymore). But as much as trends come and go, there are always those classic staples that seem to stand the test of time. Here are 5 key pieces that every woman should have in her wardrobe.

Leather Jacket: A leather jacket in a neutral color such as black or brown never goes out of style. It can also be dressed up or down, from jeans and a t-shirt for a casual look, to pairing it with a cocktail dress (like this sequined dress from David’s Bridal) for an evening look.

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Jeans: Since their start in 1873, jeans have become a classic must-have for all women. Look for jeans in a dark wash and a cut that flatters your body type. A boot-cut jean for example is a style that goes great with several body types.

White Button-Down Shirt: I love a great white-button down shirt.  You can wear it an endless amount of ways and regardless of your age, it never goes out of style. It’s also the perfect canvas for you to accessorize however you want, such as pairing it with this Two-Row Shell Pearl Necklace from David’s Bridal.

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LBD “Little Black Dress”: It really doesn’t get much more classic than the little black dress.  Look for a black dress in a simple, yet elegant cut that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. This lace cap sleeve black dress from David’s Bridal is the perfect choice!

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Cardigan Sweater: A cardigan is another versatile piece that can be combined in so many ways, from jeans to a dress. An animal print cardigan is also a great option to add a modern twist to this classic piece.

As you can see, the key with several of these pieces is to look for neutral colors such as black, brown and dark blue, since they can be combined with several colors. With these key pieces you’ll be on your way to having a versatile closet. You’ll also save money since you’ll have pieces for many years to come.

Nikki Pennie

Celebrity Fashion Expert and Stylist

One lady in particular is none other than Prince William’s bride; Kate Middleton, now named Duchess Catherine of Cambridge. Nikki styled Kate in numerous outfits over the course of her duration at the brand.  She is an anomaly in the fashion industry to have contributed to Kate’s style over the years.  Nikki made a jump over the Atlantic to Los Angeles two years ago.   She focused predominantly on styling and has pooled her assets and strengths together to become labeled as the “Brit It girl/stylist” by the LA Times. She worked with a variety of celebrities such as Kate Middleton, Madonna, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Pippa Middleton, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Poehler, Julie Bowen, Teri Hatcher, Jenna Fischer, Shenae Grimes, Lynn Collins, Steven Strait, Naturi Naughton, Michaela Conlin, Cassie Scerbo, Julia Jones, Scott Caan, Grace Pak, Alex O’Loughlin, Daniel Dae Kim, Linda Cardellini, Kherington Payne and Sara Paxton.

Sarah Pease

The “I Do” Expert

Marriage proposal and engagement expert, Sarah Pease, is the pioneer of marriage proposal planning. Sarah has made her mark by designing and producing hundreds of dream marriage proposals in New York City and around the world.

Described as a true people-person, her success can be attributed to her genuine likeability coupled with a keen sense for what makes men (and the women they propose to) tick. She’s equally as comfortable discussing football and finance as she is shopping for the perfect diamond ring for her clients.

Sarah began her career in the banking industry, but quickly realized that spreadsheets and interest rates weren’t her passion. As the daughter of a small business owner, and armed with her MBA studies, she quit her job and started her company, Brilliant Event Planning, focusing on planning high-end weddings in New York City. When she learned that an acquaintance had popped the question by putting a gorgeous diamond ring at the bottom of a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the idea of proposal planning was born.

Carmen Ordonez

The Budget Fashion Aficionado

Carmen Ordonez is the founder of the budget fashion blog, Viva Fashion, which features the latest in fashion, style and the celebrity look for less. Before launching her blog in 2008, she worked as an entertainment reporter and producer for a live news magazine TV show in Miami, Florida.

Carmen has been featured in several media outlets including The Style Network, Daily Candy, Fab Sugar, Woman’s World Magazine and was also featured in an article on Top Cool Blogs about Fashion in Seventeen Magazine. She’s also a frequent style contributor to television shows such as Fashion TV, NBC’s South Florida Today, Plum TV and Univision’s Despierta America (#1 Spanish-language morning show). Carmen has also served as a spokesperson for top brands including T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s, jcpenney and Banana Republic. Her latest projects includes being a contributing author for the e-book “The New Latina Guide to a Fabulous 2011 Year” and fashion writer for Vista Magazine.

Carmen has also been a guest speaker at several blogging/social media conferences including participating in a fashion & beauty panel alongside Rosie Pope from Pregnant in Heels during SheCon 2011.

She graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2006 from Florida International University and currently resides in Surfside, FL with her husband and her two dogs, a rottie named Bear and beagle, Scrappy.

Catey Hill

The Money Maven

Catey Hill is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in/on The Wall Street Journal, SmartMoney, Worth, Seventeen, Forbes.com, the New York Daily News, and dozens of other publications and websites. She is also the author of “Shoo, Jimmy Choo! The Modern Girl’s Guide to Spending Less and Saving More” (Sterling, 2010), which People dubbed “one of the best of the new crop of personal finance books,” The New York Times called “solid” and The Associated Press said was “eye-opening.” Catey has appeared as a personal finance expert on dozens of television programs, including “FOX & Friends,” “The Huckabee Show” on FOX and “The Early Show” on CBS; in a number of magazines, including Marie Claire, Allure, People, Seventeen and Woman’s Day; and on more than 50 radio programs.

6 Tips for Dressing Slimmer in the New Year

By Carmen Ordonez

Many of us probably have loosing weight as one of our New Year Resolutions, but what if I told you there’s ways to look 10 pounds slimmer without ever hitting the gym or going on a diet. Here are a couple of simple tips and tricks to make you look slimmer by just what you wear.

Look for dark colors. Dark solid colors such as black or navy are a definite DO for looking slim, for example this Chiffon Blouson Black Dress from David’s Bridal. Take it up a notch by adding a statement necklace, which will draw the attention to your face and away from your hips and tummy.  A V-neck dress will also help elongate the neck and make you look leaner.

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Dress proportionately. A key to dressing slimmer is knowing your body type and how to balance your figure. If you’re pear-shaped (smaller on the top and bigger on the bottom) look for a blouse with ruffles or opt for adding a blazer, which will help create volume, broaden the upper body and balance your hips. If you’re bigger on the top, look for simple tops with minimal details and embellishments, which will help downsize your bust.

Look for a wrap dress or empire waist dress: A wrap dress is one dress that is universally flattering and can instantly make you look slimmer. It’s form fitting, accentuates the waist and skims over the body so you’re not seeing every lump and bump. An empire waist dress, like this one-shouldered flower mesh gown from David’s Bridal is also a great option since it highlights the narrowest part of your waist (right below your bust) and flows over the tummy area.

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Vertical Stripes. Look for prints with vertical stripes, which have a slimming effect. On the other hand, stay away from horizontal stripes, which will only make you look wider since it commands the eyes to follow the movement of the lines.

Avoid yards of fabric. Clothes that are too baggy and bulky will only make you look bigger than you really are. Instead look for body-conscious clothing (that is not too tight) which is the most figure flattering.

Invest in shapewear. I personally love shape wear. Invest in good shapewear, which can immediately take pounds off.

Good Afternoon DB Bloggers! Happy Thrifty Thursday! As you all know, our amazing Hispanic and Budget Fashion Style Council Member, Carmen Ordonez always has the greatest looks for less! Her blog, VivaFashion has a section dedicated to “Stealing Her Look”, which is an exact head to toe look a like outfit for less! Carmen is always blogging about all things fashion, so check out her blog here! Here is her latest post on how to steal Lily Aldridge’s most recent stunning outfit!

Top NYE Party Accessories

By Carmen Ordonez

We’re quickly approaching one of the most anticipated nights of the year– New Year’s Eve! As you begin to plan your holiday party outfit, remember no look is complete without some killer accessories. It’s an easy way to take an outfit from boring to chic within minutes. So welcome in the New Year in style with these must-have accessories from David’s Bridal.

Take a look to the next level with this crystal and floral embellished necklace. It’s a steal for only $45. Pair it with a solid colored dress and glittery pumps for some extra sparkle.

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New Year’s Eve is all about the bling. Add some shine to your outfit with this “All Over Metallic Bling Clutch.” It’s big enough to hold all of your essentials (cash, ID, and don’t forget the lipstick for that midnight smooch) while glitzy enough to stand out from the crowd

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Put your best foot forward in 2013 with these Glitter Peep Toe High Heel Slingbacks. The all over glitter detail brings drama and luxe at the same time. And for only $39, it will make you want to dance the night away.

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Create a fun-festive look with this stunning Blue and Silver Rhinestone Cuff Bracelet. The gorgeous rhinestones make any outfit more celebration-worthy and will make you shine bright like a diamond.

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Planning the Ultimate Holiday Party for your Friends

by Cassandra Morris

‘Tis the season to throw a fabulous soiree! If you want to play hostess for your friends and create the ultimate holiday party, here’s how to make it memorable.

Send a special invite. Skip the mass Facebook invite in favor of something a little more personal. Paperless Post (link: www.paperlesspost.com) has a slew of thoughtful holiday invitations that will appear right in your friends’ inboxes. They’re not only adorable to gaze at, they send the message that your gathering will be a little more formal than the usual hang sesh.

Have a Themed Menu and Décor. Picking and sticking to a theme will pull your entire party together. It can be as simple as heart confetti and cupcakes with frosted peace signs for a “Peace and Love” theme, framed photos of classic holiday movie scenes, vintage-inspired candleholders and a viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” for a “Classic Holidays” theme, or faux snow and blue, silver and white decorations for a “Let it Snow!” theme.

Set the Mood With Music. Holiday music is a must for December parties. If you don’t have a holiday playlist on your laptop, cue one up on Pandora.

Create a Hot Cocoa and Apple Cider Bar. The drinks of the holiday season are hot cocoa and warm apple cider. Set up a mini bar where your friends can concoct their own special mixes. Peppermint sticks, almonds, coconut, marshmallows in every size and flavored whipped cream should definitely make an appearance for the hot chocolate lovers. Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, maple syrup and orange peel garnishes are perfect for the hot apple cider connoisseurs.

Play Reindeer Games. Silly holiday games aren’t just for kids. Here are some of my faves: Have everyone decorate gingerbread cookies and give prizes for most creative, prettiest or messiest. Have your friends create a “Naughty and Nice” list of things they’ve done over the past year, then read them aloud. Have everyone bring a wrapped holiday gift under $10 for a holiday grab bag, then draw numbers out of a bowl. Number one unwraps a gift first, while numbers two and higher can either select a new gift to open or steal someone else’s. If your gift is stolen, you choose an unwrapped gift. You’ll be amazed at how competitive everyone gets over the most coveted gifts!

Take a Holiday Stroll. If you live in a neighborhood that has a ton of holiday lights, bundle up and go for a post-hot cocoa group stroll to admire them.

Dress the part. As hostess, your outfit should set the party mood. I love this silver foil dress by David’s Bridal. The color is festive, the ruching is flattering, and the side beading adds a touch of whimsy. Tip: Be sure to get dressed after all your party preparations have been made. You don’t want to accidentally spill chocolate on your dress or snag it on a rough edge while you’re decorating.

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