Go back to school with your Mac, iPhone and TUAW

Penelope Cruz is one of our favorite fashionistas. Why? Well, she's not afraid to take chances with fashion, but she always uses common sense and finds things that flatter her (we know, as if it's difficult to flatter that body). Still, her style is something many brides could learn from -- it's okay to go for fun cuts and fabrics, as long as they work for you.

This white gown, which she wore promoting Vicky Cristina Barcelona at the Cannes Film Festival, is a perfect example. It has classic elements as well as interesting, unexpected detail, and we think the overall look would be perfect for a bride. Click through the gallery to see more of the dress and to learn how you can make this look work for you!


The fashion world seems to be of two minds about the flowing white dress Charlize wore to the Hancock premiere in Hollywood. Some think it's the least flattering bedsheet ever, while others think it's ethereal and lovely. We tend to be of the latter opinion.

The statuesque blond has rocked every look from dark, bondage-inspired pieces to haute couture gowns while promoting her latest flick, but we think this look in particular could be perfect for the right bride. Check out the gallery to see how to make it work for you!


Yes, we are aware that we just oohed and aahed about Lucy Liu last week, but she changed up her look for the Hollywood premiere of Kung Fu Panda, and we're still transfixed by her -- she looks absolutely amazing in this short, ruffly number.

In fact, we think this look could work well for spunky bride, bridesmaids, or a guest -- check out the gallery to see how!


Most of the buzz about the Kung Fu Panda premiere at the Cannes Film Festival revolved around a pregnant and glowing Angelina Jolie. However, there was another actress on that red carpet equally worthy of admiration.

Lucy Liu looked absolutely amazing in a white Cavalli gown -- a gown that would be just perfect for a bride. Here's why we adored it:
  • Subtly sexy -- The deep, sexy v-neck mixed with the sweet lace makes for one fabulous frock.

  • Gorgeous glow -- Sometimes girls with fairer skin shy away from wearing white, instead opting for a cream or champagne hue, but Lucy shows that those with pale skin can look amazing in white.

  • Red carpet romance -- The soft curls of Lucy's hair paired with the feminine cut of the dress makes for a really romantic look.

If you're in love with this look as much as we are, read on to see how you can incorporate it into your wedding:



Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Lucy Liu at the Cannes Kung Fu Panda Premiere


Michelle Williams has made a point to stay out of the spotlight since the untimely death of her ex, Heath Ledger. However, after making a last minute decision to come to Cannes for the premiere of her new film, Wendy and Lucy, she made her first red carpet appearance, and she did not disappoint.

The beautiful lace Chanel gown perfectly suited Michelle -- here's why.

  • Classy couture -- She's still in a grieving period, so wearing something wild and flamboyant wouldn't have looked right. The gown is elegant and classy, and though it drew plenty of attention, it was because it was beautiful -- not because folks were speculating on how everything stayed in place.

  • Lace and face -- We think Michelle has such a beautiful, feminine face -- a face almost made to wear lace and ruffles (and adorable short hair -- don't grow it out too long, Michelle!). We also love that she went with a bright lip -- everything else is so neutral that the dark lipstick really amps up the entire look.

  • Perfectly accessorized -- It would be hard for us to put into words how much we adore her shoes. They have feathers on them, but not so many that she looks like she's wearing birds for shoes. They really accentuate the retro vibe of the dress. The simple clutch was a good choice, too -- she didn't bring anything too shiny or heavily patterned that would take away from the dress, but it still has its own interest.

Are you as in love with this look as we are? Here's how you can have it for your wedding day:



Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Michelle Williams at the Cannes Film Festival


Sarah Jessica Parker knew her wardrobe choice for the New York premiere of the Sex and the City movie was incredibly important -- she portrays a character who has become a style icon, and this was the biggest premiere location of them all.

We absolutely loved this silver Nina Ricci gown, especially considering her character, Carrie Bradshaw, is a bride in the movie. It's elegant, beautiful, and ever-so-slightly quirky.

  • Off-beat color choice -- It's not like you don't see silver on the red carpet. You do. But this almost watery-looking silver with the unexpected gold accent around the waist is unusual without being weird. It's simply lovely.

  • Dangerous curves -- The slight sweetheart neckline paired with a defined waist give SJP curves like we've never seen before.

  • The girl with curls -- We're so happy SJP wore her hair down in loose waves for the premiere -- as pretty as it looks up, we're always going to remember Carrie for her wild, curly hair (which, like her spirit, cannot be tamed -- hokey, sure, but you know it's true).

Do you want to be the bride who channels Carrie Bradshaw on her wedding day? Here's how to get Sarah Jessica's red carpet look:


Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Sarah Jessica Parker at the SATC New York Premiere


Natalie Portman may be a member of the jury at the 61st Cannes Film Festival, but the jury is still out on the navy dress she wore to the premiere of La Silence de Lorna. The cut of the dress sort of swallows her tiny figure; however, we're just loving the color, so for this edition of From Red Carpet to Altar, we're going to focus on that and how you can use it for your wedding.

  • Navy is just like black, but not -- Natalie opted for a light shade of navy, which has all the flattering qualities of black but with the added benefit of actually being a color.

  • Take advantage of a trend -- Dark navy nail polish is huge this year, and Natalie jumped right on board by painting her fingernails the same color as her dress.

  • Glammed up accessories -- The metallic gold shoes and clutch are a beautiful way to accent the darkness of the dress.

Here's how you can incorporate Natalie's navy into your nuptials:


Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Natalie Portman at the Cannes Film Festival


Emmy Rossum is throwing us some curve balls. She started out so sweet, just radiating innocence in soft colors, like pink. She was just so pretty. And now, she shows up at the Costume Institute Gala at the MET in this amazing black and white gown, and we can hardly wrap our brains around it. She's still pretty, but she's so much more than that -- she's truly stunning. Here's what we loved about this look:

  • Craving structure -- This is not a free, flowing gown. It's designed to fit absolutely perfectly, and it does. The seaming paired with the detailed fabric creates a rich, sophisticated look.

  • Body of work -- Emmy is a thin girl, and this dress really accentuates what curves she has. The mermaid fit isn't for everyone, but it most definitely works for her.

  • Finished off -- She could have gone with a sleek, structured hairstyle to go along with her dress, but we love that she opted for loose waves. She's young, and a more defined 'do might have made the entire look seem a little beyond her years. With her hair down and her big eyes played up, she looks young, sophisticated, and totally sexy.

What bride wouldn't want to get this look for her wedding day? Here's what you need to do:


Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Emmy Rossum at the MET Costume Institute Gala


We love it when funny girls get fashionable, so we were delighted to see Ashley Jensen, who plays the witty Christina McKinney on Ugly Betty, look so completely fabulous at the BAFTA Awards. She really stood out on the red carpet, and we think this dress could be a fantastic look for a bridesmaid, mom, or guest. Here's why:

  • Flaunting a flattering hue -- This shade of blue is stunning on Ashley. Look at how her eyes pop, and how the bright color contrasts against her skin and hair. It's truly a perfect choice for her.

  • Cute cut -- The wide but modest v-neckline is really flattering to her shape, and we love the fact that the rest of her dress fits snugly, but not so tightly that she can't move. She looks elegant and classy, but still like she might be someone you'd want to split a bottle of champagne with.

  • Adorable additions -- Her earrings are just to DIE for, but that's not all we love. She had some fun with her purse, selecting a clutch in a slightly different hue than her dress. The shoes are a great choice -- the metallic shade goes with just about anything, and by opting for the open style in bronze, she elongates her leg.

Want to get this look going for your bridesmaids, mom, or yourself? No problem!



Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Ashley Jensen at the BAFTAs


By all accounts, Eva Longoria Parker's new restaurant, Beso, is a seriously stylish place to grab a tasty bite to eat. And, it's no surprise at all that Eva herself looked pretty sweet at the restaurant's opening. Here's what we loved:

  • Ladylike and lacy -- Part of what makes this dress so darn pretty is the frilly lace -- it's completely girly and gorgeous! And then, of course, there's the fact that it's short, so it just looks like she's ready to have fun.

  • Played up accents -- The satin in the bow at her waist (another girly touch) is played up by her shiny silver clutch and the silver in her jewelry. This way, she incorporated some stylish metallics without taking anything away from the pristine nature of the dress.

  • Innocently sexy -- From the lacy dress to her hair and make-up, Eva looks part ingenue and part sex-kitten. It's all about contrast -- the dress is lacy and sweet, but a little short and sexy. Her make-up isn't bold and full of color, but her eyes pop and her lips shine, like she's ready to give you a big ol' beso.

Want to incorporate this study of opposites into your wedding day look? Here's how:


Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Eva Longoria Parker at the opening of Beso


We know that this plum Marchesa dress isn't everyone's favorite look, but we just love how Renee Zellweger pulls it off at the European premiere of her new movie, Leatherheads. Except we wish she would stop standing so weird. And we'd like to get our hands on her hair.

But the dress is fabulous.

  • Classy couture -- This dress is a high fashion piece, and not for the faint of heart. Between the various fabrics and the complicated design, the dress has a lot going on. That's why it's important that Renee wears the dress -- she doesn't let it wear her. Her straight posture and posing skills (although, seriously, why such weird poses? Why?) show that she's comfortable wearing high fashion.

  • Perfect plum -- This deep shade is so gorgeous against Renee's fair skin and light hair. It brings out the rosiness in her cheeks and lends some drama to her look overall.

  • Glitz it up -- We love Renee's right hand ring and sparkly clutch, but we really wish she had grabbed a pair of earrings, too. Oh, well. She's smart to avoid a necklace, as it would detract from the interesting neckline of her gown and would look busy next to the flower. Her shoes were a perfect choice -- gold, strappy, and sexy, so they compliment the look without competing with the dress.

Wondering how this look can translate into your personal bridal style? Here's how to do it:



Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Renee Zellweger at the European Leatherheads Premiere


Wei Tang is a relative newcomer to the red carpet, but you'd never know it to look at her in this stunning straight-off-the-runway creation by another newbie, Jason Wu at the 2008 BAFTA Awards. We're having trouble putting into words how much we love this look, and if this is how she begins her red carpet adventure, we can't wait to see where she goes with it!

  • Feminine and flattering cut -- The style of this dress is amazing -- the wide, deep v-neck, the twisting detail at the waist, and the full skirt all come together to let you know that you have set your eyes upon a woman who knows how to dress.

  • Pretty print -- The floral print is unexpected and adds a gorgeous touch. While other women wore heavy beads and sequins, Wei kept it light and airy. However, the black keeps the flowers from looking too springy, so it's just perfect.

  • All the right accessories -- We adore the red clutch she's carrying for a pop of color, and we're equally in love with the Bulgari jewelry, which is heavy enough to make an impact, but not so much that it takes away from her magnificent gown.

This is a look we would love to see on a bride. Here's how you can achieve this mix of classic and modern:


Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Wei Tang at the BAFTA Awards


It's easy to love Jennifer Garner. She's a talented actress, she (mostly) stays out of the tabloids, and have you seen her adorable daughter? Plus, Jen knows how to dress, and that's something we always love. This dress, worn at the Paris premiere of The Kingdom, is a great example of how she can rock a trend.

  • Hot (pink) mama -- Bright colors are huge this year, and Jennifer wisely goes for a bright pink that looks great with her skin tone.

  • It's in the fit -- One of the things we love about Jennifer is that she's fit, but doesn't seem to be wasting away. This dress accentuates the curves of her body.

  • Keepin' it a little casual -- It's not the Oscars, so while she chose a dramatic gown, she doesn't overdo it with the rest of her ensemble. We would have liked to see her hair pulled back a bit to show off the flutter cap-sleeves on the dress, but otherwise she gets it just right with fun earrings and a metallic clutch.

This overall look could easily be modified into your bridal style. Here's how:

Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Jennifer Garner at The Kingdom Paris Premiere


For the premiere of a movie with "angel" in the title, Kate Beckinsale certainly wore the right dress. This white, columnar gown is only lacking a harp as an accessory. And, while it's not our favorite dress of all time, it does have a certain bridal look that appeals to us.

  • Empire is elegant -- You can't look at a gown like this and keep your mind from imagining eras gone by, with romantic balls to attend and your sisters helping each other to put flowers and ribbons in each other's hair.

  • Jazz it up with jewelry -- The dress itself is quite simple, and Kate makes a great choice by layering on some detailed and heavy-looking jewelry.

  • Make it up -- Because of this ensemble's ethereal look, Kate has to avoid any really heavy or dark makeup. She plays up the overall effect by going with a fresh, dewy face and natural looking makeup palette.
Would you like to achieve this angelic aura for your Big Day? Read on to see how:

Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Kate Beckinsale at the LA Snow Angels Premiere


Thandie Newton is just too cute, especially in this dress at the L.A. premiere of her new movie, Run, Fat Boy, Run. The look isn't for everybody (I mean, could you picture Angelina Jolie pulling this off?), but for the girly-girl bride, bridesmaid, or guest, it might be just perfect.

  • Getting all ruffled isn't so bad -- This neckline on a bright, springy, swingy gown really works -- it's soft and feminine while still being a little playful. With her dark hair and olive complexion, the bright color is perfect.

  • Wrap up the fabric -- There is a lot of fabric in this dress considering it's only knee length, but it works because of the defined waist. The sash ties to the side and the flowing fabric drapes perfectly into the tiered hem of the dress.

  • Smartly accessorized -- As we've already discussed, this dress has quite a lot going on, so Thandie makes a smart move in avoiding any distracting accessories.

If you love this look half as much as I do, read on to see how to make it work for you:


Continue reading From Red Carpet to Altar: Thandie Newton at the Run, Fat Boy, Run L.A. premiere

Next Page >

 

Featured Galleries

Frock and Awe: Campaign
Destination Wedding:  Vancouver, BC
Unique Harlingen Hotels
Handblown Mexican Glassware
Destination Wedding:  Mount Rainier
And the MBB Goes To...
Tonks' Hand-Knit Wedding
April Reed Cakes
Personalized Plates from My Clean Plate Club
Fabulous dresses that won't break the bank
Steampunk Wedding Accessories
Leis for your beach wedding

 

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: