David's Bridal

Billboard Latin Music Awards Red Carpet Looks for Less

By Carmen Ordonez

The stars brought the heat to the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which took place last week in sunny Miami, Florida. From bright bold colors such as Kika Rocha’s purple organza dress to America Sierra’s fuchsia strapless number – there were many favorites on my list. Luckily for us, we can mimic their style without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly alternatives from David’s Bridal.

America Sierra looked stunning in this tiered fuschia dress. Get a similar look with this strapless sequined bodice gown from David’s Bridal. The empire sash waist creates a flattering silhouette, while the sequined bodice adds the perfect amount of glam. This dress would be perfect for prom or even a black-tie wedding.

Venezuelan model, Natasha Dominguez, turned heads on the red carpet with this sequined long dress. You can easily recreate her look with this one-shouldered glitter mesh dress from David’s Bridal. It’s the perfect mix of feminine and sexy with the sweetheart neckline and side slit. Take a cue from the gorgeous model and keep your accessories to a minimum. You don’t want them to overpower your dress.

Kika Rocha flaunted her figure on the red carpet in this purple mermaid dress. Accentuate your own curves with this striking organza dress for just under $200. Finish off your look with this intricate beaded satin sash from David’s Bridal for only $39.

Galina Gown Meets Old Hollywood: A Dream Marriage Proposal

By Sarah Pease

After each awards show in Hollywood there is no shortage of magazines and websites splashed with photos of starlets donning gorgeous gowns, and season after season some of the best dressed women are those that channeled Old Hollywood glamour. The figure-hugging shape and sweetheart neckline of this demure yet sultry Galina Signature wedding gown served as the inspiration for a marriage proposal fit for a 1940’s screen siren or a modern starlet.

Your future-fiancée will think she is having a girl’s day spent shopping and going to the spa with her best friend, but the day has actually been planned down to the last detail to be the day of her dreams.  Everything begins as your sweetheart and friend set off for one of the chicest shopping streets in Hollywood, Rodeo Drive.  As they meander and peer into the ornately decorated window displays, her friend will suggest venturing into one of the well-known boutiques where they’ll try on some of the to-die-for dresses and shoes, but what your future-fiancée does not know is that you secretly contacted the store prior to her visit and arranged for her favorite pieces to be delivered to the spa.  After visiting some of Hollywood’s most famous boutiques, the women will head to the spa for an afternoon of starlet-worthy pampering.  As their spa trip comes to an end, she’ll be surprised when an exquisitely-wrapped garment bag from the store she visited earlier greets her at the spa. A classic car will whisk her to one of Hollywood’s most iconic spots, the Beverly Hills Hotel, where she’s shown to a dream suite and says goodbye to her friend and hello to her beauty team.  They’ll create the perfect hair & makeup look and as she changes into her glamorous, red-carpet ready outfit, she is transformed into a vintage screen siren. An impeccably dressed butler will show her to the hotel’s terrace bar that overlooks the pool, where a “red carpet” rose petal path will lead you to an intimate table-for-two hidden amongst the palm trees.  You’ll be waiting for her at the end of the red carpet with an envelope with her name on it. The outside reads “The Academy Award for Best Leading Lady” and on the inside is her name.  You drop to one knee and share that you would truly be the winner, for the rest of your lives, if she says yes!

Like the classic and glamorous Galina Signature gown, this marriage proposal idea is reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood and will be remembered forever.

Sarah Pease, The Proposal Planner ™ is recognized as the foremost expert on marriage proposals and is the pioneer of Marriage Proposal Planning. Based in New York City, Sarah and her team at Brilliant Event Planning have designed and produced dream engagements for countless lucky couples from across the world and are the go-to source for all things regarding “Will You Marry Me?”

Beverly HIlls Hotel

Bar Nineteen12

Lana Turner

Rodeo Drive

Rose Petal Path

The Perfect Mother-of-the-Bride Dress

By Carmen Ordonez

You probably pictured your daughter’s wedding dress since she broke the news that she was engaged. But now it’s time to pick your own dress and you might be feeling at a loss. Sure it’s your daughter’s big day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look fabulous yourself. Gone are the days of frumpy Mother-of-the-Bride dresses, here are some tips and dresses to help you look stylish on the big day.

Don’t wait until the last minute to start looking for your dress. Give yourself at least three to four months in case your dress needs to be altered. Also keep in mind the location of the wedding.  If it’s an outdoor wedding, look for easy breezy styles made out of breathable fabrics. This long jersey dress from David’s Bridal is the perfect choice. The fabric will allow you to move comfortably, and you’ll definitely make a statement when you leave the room with this open back detail. It’s absolutely stunning and a steal for only $119.

Peplums made their way into the fashion scene last year and they’re not going away anytime soon. This peplum dress manages to combine both style and sophistication in one piece. The knee length skirt makes it age appropriate, while the all-over lace adds a nice chic touch. This particular silhouette is also great for those with a straight shape, since the peplum flare gives the illusion of an hourglass figure.

This Cross Over Bodice Gown from David’s Bridal is elegance at its best. It’s ideal for a formal black-tie affair. The rushing detail in the waist highlights the shape, while the ¾ sleeves gives just the right amount of coverage.

This short satin dress is a perfect Mother-of-the-Bride dress. The royal blue goes great with almost any skin tone and the satin jacket provides coverage for those chilly spring nights. It can also be removed, for a dress that can easily be worn time and time again.

Save vs. Splurge, Wedding Edition: Where to Spend, Where to Scrimp

BY CATEY HILL

From the white flowy dress to the candlelit aisle, the five-tiered cake to the gorgeous bouquets, you’ve probably imagined your wedding day since you were a little girl. But now that you’re actually planning it, reality is setting in.  Of course you want the fairytale — I mean, who doesn’t?! — but you can only spend so much, so it’s important to figure out where you’ll splurge, and where you’ll cut costs.

To figure this out, first, you’ll need to make a wedding budget (I know, you hate that word, but I swear it’s not that bad – use the David’s Bridal MyEvent wedding planner site and it’s super-easy to do it!). Then, look at the list of all the things you will spend money on for your wedding.  Check out the budget I created to help you figure this out.  Now, rank that list in terms of what’s most important to you and what’s least important; spend the most on what’s most important to you and the least on what’s not.

OK, so that might have seemed a little overwhelming.  I mean, where do you rank all those things?! You probably really want to know what married people and wedding planners say is great to splurge on and worth it so scrimp on. Don’t worry, I talked to them and got some advice.  Here’s the scoop:
Where to save
It used to be that to get an amazing dress you had to go to a boutique or super high-end department store. Not anymore.  David’s Bridal has Vera Wang dresses - yes, the Vera Wang! – for under $1,700, some even under $1,000, plus other amazing luxe designers like Melissa Sweet and Oleg Cassini (hello, he dressed Jackie O — one of the most timeless style icons ever!). Another big way to save is on food and the bar (if this isn’t the top of your priority list).  Don’t have a fancy sit-down dinner — your guests will have just as much fun with a simple buffet or passed around tapas– and serve beer, wine and one signature cocktail (you and your soon-to-be bubby can pick it together!) rather than a full-on open bar.

Where to splurge

Don’t scrimp on the photos and video of the wedding (these are things you’ll have in frames in your home for rest of your life and give to your grandchildren!).  So hire a reliable photographer and maybe even a videographer so you can make sure that perfect moment is captured … in high def of course!  Added bonus: Your friends and family can snap more pics of your day for free so you have even more keepsakes!  The other thing you should splurge on — at least for one night — is your honeymoon. Spend time with your new hubby in an amazing setting, even if it’s just for a night or two.

Clean Out Your Closet for Ca$h
BY CATEY HILL

If you’re anything like most girls I know, your closet is literally overflowing with clothes, shoes and accessories that you don’t wear anymore. (Who hasn’t gotten just a little too caught up in one trend or another?!). But rather than let all those goodies sit there collecting dust, why not clean out your closet and sell that stuff for cash?

To do this, first you’ll need to take an inventory of your closet.  Anything you haven’t worn in the past year or so, consider selling. Next, learn which items will fetch more cash than others (but don’t throw anything out yet as almost everything you own can probably fetch at least some money). Here are a few things to look for:

• Brand: Obviously, high-end designer names like Louis Vuitton and Chanel are going to fetch top dollar on the resale market, but slightly less pricey — but still popular — designer brands like Tory Burch, Marc by Marc Jacobs and White by Vera Wang will score you some cash as well. Even if you don’t have those kinds of clothes in your wardrobe, designer collaborations with department stores (think Jimmy Choo for H&M or Missoni for Target) can fetch a pretty penny, as can clothes from retailers like J.Crew and Anthropologie.
• Style: Even if you don’t have many name-brand clothes, you can get a decent amount of money for clothes that are in style right now, such as leather or leather-accented items, and clothes that are black and white, striped or floral.  Also, be sure to remember the things that almost never go out of style, like the little black dress and the simple blazer. And think seasonally: Since summer is fast approaching, you can get money for cocktail dresses and old bridesmaids dresses that people can wear to weddings.
• Condition: The clothes need to be in good condition — few if any stains, tears or discolorations — if you expect to get top dollar for them.  It’s smart to wash and iron clothes or fix a fallen hem or pocket before trying to sell them.  Even clothes that are from a big-box budget store — if they’re in good condition — may fetch you some money.

Now that you’ve taken inventory in your closet, it’s time to sell your stuff.  There are a variety of ways to do this.

• Online: Everyone knows about eBay already, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great place to sell clothes, especially name brand items, since often a bunch of people bid on them and drive up the price. With eBay the key is to have great photos (show those designer tags or receipts if you have them, and make sure the photos are well lit) and a good seller rating.I also like these sites/apps for selling clothes: Storenvy.com, Threadflip.com and the iPhone app Poshmark.  All of these sites are easy to use and can help you earn cash for your old clothes.

• Consignment: Offering up your clothes to a local consignment shop is another good way to get paid.  Typically, you’ll get 40 – 50% of the total price that the consignment shop sells your stuff for.  If you can, get these terms in writing.  And before you go into a consignment shop, do some research online about what similar items are selling for — often you can get more money by selling your stuff online.

• Garage sale: Garage sales are often best for those clothes that aren’t from a well-respected brand, aren’t that fashion-forward and/or aren’t in great condition that you just want to get rid of.  Hold a garage sale and try to sell what you can.  Towards the end of the sale, if you haven’t sold the items, put a bunch of the clothes in a box together and then sell the “bundle” for a few bucks.  Hey, it’s better than getting nothing!

What to Wear to a Spring Wedding

By Carmen Ordonez

Spring wedding season has arrived and it’s time to shed the winter coats and break out the fun spring hues. For those of you with spring weddings on the horizon, here are a couple options for what to wear to a spring wedding.

Prints and Patterns

Prints and patterns are all the rage this spring. Look for prints in some of this spring’s hottest colors such as green and blue. You’ll be sure to make a fashion statement. I’m loving this green charmeuse printed dress from David’s Bridal.

Low-High Hem Lines

Can’t decide whether to go long or short, then a high-low hemline is you’re perfect solution.  It’s great for a spring weddings, whether indoors or outdoors. David’s Bridal has some great options that are right on trend this spring like this pastel chiffon dress or this printed empire waisted dress.

Bold Bright Colors

Nothing says spring like bold, bright colors. This spring it’s all about the oranges, yellows and pinks. If you’re feeling a bit daring, you can also try color-blocking and pair any of these dresses with another bold color. For example, this pink tulle dress from David’s Bridal would go great with a yellow pump.

Hello DB Readers and Happy Thrifty Thursday! Our Budget Fashion Aficianado, Carmen Ordonez was recently featured on Babble.com about great maternity attire for mommies to be! Since Carmen recently gave birth to her first child she knows a few great fashion tricks for the fashionable moms who don’t want to sacrifice their style OR break the bank!! Carmen look absolutely stunning in one of our Sleeveless Jersey Dress with Charmeuse Waist Band! Empire waisted dresses are great for pregnant women as they highlight the narrowest part of your waist and flows over your baby bump, making it comfortable yet stylish.

Pregnant or not, you’ll look absolutely stunning in a dress for any occasion from day wear and work to happy hour or a gala from David’s Bridal! Check out her great tips here

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White by Vera Wang  Ombre Tulle Ball Gown: A Dream Marriage Proposal

By Sarah Pease

For the bride who chooses a blush-colored gown, only a truly unique marriage proposal idea will do.  Inspired by the gorgeous waves in this airy gown, this proposal begins deep in the Napa Valley.

The California sky is still dark, but the birds are chirping around your resort cottage when there’s a knock at the door.  You open the door to the hotel butler who presents you with two mimosas and a single envelope.  You thank the butler and hand the note to your girlfriend.  She reads the note aloud “You’re cordially invited to a sunrise hot air balloon ride this morning.” The butler serves you the drinks and informs you that the car will pick you up at 6am.  You hurry to get ready, bundling up for the still-chilly Napa morning.  The car takes you to an empty field, as you approach you can see the balloon inflating – an impressive multi-colored sphere against the still-darkened sky.

As a sliver of sun crests the horizon, you both step into the basket and before you know it, you’re soaring above the rolling hills of Napa and Sonoma.  The sound of the wind and the occasional burst of gas into the balloon make you feel like you’re flying!  The pilot dips down to get a glimpse of the vineyards below and you grab her hand to steady each other.  As the sun rises in the sky, the temperature warms and the clouds take on a certain blush tone – soft and soothing around you.  The pilot begins the first descent to the landing area, a gorgeous field of lavender next to one of the most esteemed wineries of the region.  Just as you’re about to touch down, a giant sign is revealed across the field that says “Will You Marry Me?”  You land and immediately drop to one knee, pulling out the beautiful ring that you’ve selected.  She says yes!  You continue the fun and excitement of the day with a private wine tasting, tour of the adjoining vineyard and cap things off with a relaxed bike ride back to your resort.  The perfect end to the night is a table for two at Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry where you’ll toast to many more sunrises together!

Sarah Pease, The Proposal Planner ™ is recognized as the foremost expert on marriage proposals and is the pioneer of Marriage Proposal Planning. Based in New York City, Sarah and her team at Brilliant Event Planning have designed and produced dream engagements for countless lucky couples from across the world and are the go-to source for all things regarding “Will You Marry Me?”

Balloon: http://landlopers.com/2012/07/22/napa-hot-air-balloon/

Sky: http://www.flickr.com/photos/idashum/galleries/72157625344592718

Bikes: http://www.solagecalistoga.com/

French Laundry Clothespin: http://www.ruggedelegantliving.com/a/002148.html

Wine Tasting: http://www.mommysavers.com/c/t/197997/anyone-making-vacation-plans-for-this-coming-spring-or-summer

Winery: http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/california/napa/vineyards

6 Simple Ways to Save on Prom
BY CATEY HILL

The fab dress, the dreamy date, the DJ and the dance party … what’s not to love about prom?!

Well, the price. The average cost of prom is more than $1,000.  Yikes!

So what’s a girl to do when she wants a dream prom night, but doesn’t want to spend that much?  Follow these simple tips and you’ll slash the cost of prom in no time (without sacrificing any of the fun!).

1. Get your makeup done at a department store: Go to the makeup counter at any big department store and have one of their pros do your makeup — you’ll look fab and it’s totally free!  Of course, you may feel obligated to buy something. If you do, pick something inexpensive like a lip gloss that you know you’ll use again and again.

2. Get your hair and nails done by a student: Rather than go to a fancy salon for the perfect do, look into going to a beauty school.  You’ll get your hair done by a student (who’s supervised by a professional, so don’t worry!) for a fraction of the cost of a salon. You can find beauty schools near you here: http://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/.

You can also often score discount mani-pedis from cosmetology students (use that same link to find cosmetology schools in your area)!  If there isn’t one near you, invite your girlfriends over for a pre-prom “spa day” at your house. You can do each other’s nails.

3. Buy a discounted gift card to pay for dinner: It’s super fun to go out to dinner for prom, but who wants to spend that much?  You probably already know about Groupon, LivingSocial and Restaurants.com, all of which have great deals on restaurants. But here’s another little secret that can save you and your friends big: Buy a discounted gift card for the restaurant you’re going to on PlasticJungle.com.  So, let’s say you’re going to Macaroni Grill for dinner. You could go in with friends and buy a gift card worth $100 on the site, but only pay $80 for it!  That means you’ll get $100 worth of food for only $80!  And if you still can’t afford that, don’t worry: It’s often super-fun to host a dinner party at home!

4. Score deals on your dress: It’s tempting to totally blow your budget on your dream dress, but there’s really no need to. Skip local stores and boutiques (you don’t want to end up with the same dress as another girl!) and check out the dress selection (there are so many choices!) on David’s Bridal.  They have some amazing dresses that are literally half off, and tons of super-cute frocks that are well under $100!  If money is really tight, look for a dress (think classic, solid colors) that you can wear again if you pair it with different shoes or accessories. Here are three great dresses under $100 we LOVE this season and will make you feel like a princess on your big night!

Strapless Empire Beaded Empire Waist Prom Dress Style 8420CW7B

Pearl Jeweled Necklace Halter Mesh GownStyle 8420Y039

Beaded One Shoulder Mesh Prom DressStyle 8420BX1B

Remember: The #1 rule to saving money on your dress is to start shopping early. As prom approaches, the dress selection can get picked over — and that’ll make you desperate to find the perfect dress, and a little too willing to totally blow your budget.

5. Host a prom swap party: David’s Bridal once again wins my vote as the go-to spot for amazing shoes and accessories at prices you can totally afford!  But if you’re running low on cash and still need a few key accessories, host a “prom swap party” for all of your girlfriends at your place. Everyone brings some fun accessories and shoes, and you guys can borrow each other’s stuff.  It’s a super fun way to get together with the girls, and it allows you to put the finishing touches on your prom look.  (Remember even if your BFFs shoes don’t quite fit you, you can always add insoles.)

6. Say no to pricey extras: A lot of people feel like they need to buy photos from the professional photographer at the prom or get a pricey limo.  If you can afford these things, great, but they’re totally not necessary.  Have your parents take the before pics, and once you’re at prom, you and your friends can use your phones to snap pics of each other.  You can also rent a nice car with a driver rather than a limo, which is often cheaper, or just drive yourselves or have friends from a different school or your older brother or sis do the driving.

Tips for Spring Cleaning your Wardrobe

By Carmen Ordonez

So at the beginning of every year I like to go through my closet and clean it out. Not only because it’s so messy (I must admit I’m not the most organized–but I’m working on it) but because sometimes you just need to part ways with clothes you don’t wear anymore. Here are some of my tips for cleaning out your closet and knowing when it’s time to say good-bye to clothes:

Assess your Closet: First thing you’ll want to do is take everything out your closet. Sort through the clothes and ask yourself these questions:

Has it been a year or more since I last wore this?

Does it fit?

Is it broken and can it be fixed?

Am I really going to wear this again?

Do I wear this on a regular basis?

Separate Clothes in Piles: Once you ask yourself these questions, separate your clothes into 3 piles: Clothes you wear on a regular basis, garments that need to be fixed or altered and clothes that need to be thrown away or donated.

What Needs to Go: Get rid of clothes that don’t fit anymore, even if it was your favorite top you scored on sale or if you’re holding off in case it one day comes back in style. Clothes that don’t fit are just bad for your self-esteem. If an item has holes or stains ask yourself if it can indeed be fixed. If it can, then put it in your fix it pile and consult with your tailor. If not, then it’s time to part ways.

Host a Clothes Swap Party: Don’t just throw away the clothes you don’t wear anymore. Consider hosting a clothing swap party. This is where you get with a group of friends and exchange the clothes you don’t wear anymore. Hey, one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure right? This is a great way of updating your wardrobe without even spending a dime. You could also donate the clothes to organizations such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

Evaluating your closet is a perfect way to help you know what lives in your closet. Next time you go shopping you’ll know not to buy that green blouse (even if it’s on sale) since you already have one very similar already in your closet.