Monday, January 31, 2011

Mad Men Character Inspiration Part 2: Betty Draper

Today we are excited to feature our second Mad Monday. We love vintage looks and, when it comes to feminine style , there is none more charming than model turned housewife, Betty Draper.  Betty is the epitome of how the modern 1950's wife and mother should look. Her style is a little bit of a mixed bag and goes from pretty and youthful (a la Grace Kelly) to respectable and sophisticated (think Jackie O) little by little.  But, regardless of her choices, she never fails to look fashionable and picture perfect with not a single hair out of place.


One of Birdie's favorite styles to wear is the sleeveless, button down dress.  Throughout the show you'll see her in a variety of these dresses, usually as her everyday kind of wear, and typically paired with a skinny belt.  We can certainly see her wearing something like this around the house, grocery shopping, or at one of her Junior League meetings.


Entertaining guests or just looking to impress?  Be the perfect hostess in a simple but stunning dress like this with it's modern colors and pattern and classic silhouette. Betty usually doesn't choose colors like these but she will for a festive occasion or for when she is looking to get a little attention.


Sure, there is another side of Betty (the pants wearing side) but that is one that we rarely see.  When you do you can bet they'll be some pretty unique and fashion forward pants like these plaid ones!


Charming business men isn't easy!  To wine and dine her hubby's coworkers at formal dinners and weddings, we think Betty would have loved this dress from Macy's.  This dress is modest and appropriate for an upper class woman of her time with it's full skirt and lovely pale pink color.


Being wealthy isn't easy and your bound to have more than a few social events to attend to. If your planning to attend a more modern and fun cocktail party, you could opt for this adorable little number.  All eyes will be on you in this gorgeous dress with feminine colors, a bit of sparkle, and Betty's signature full skirt that creates the perfect hourglass.  Don't forget your white gloves!


In later seasons you're more likely to see Betty is something like this.  As her life changes (no spoilers!) she starts dressing a bit more conservative and respectable, showing that she is growing up and changing. While dressing more mature, she is still as classy and beautiful as ever.


When Betty needs some time to herself she hits the stables for some riding and is, of course, dressed appropriately. This would be the perfect chic and modern equestrian outfit, complete with boots,  riding pants, and a conservative sweater and turtleneck all in neutral classy colors.


Now, let's not forget accessories.  Betty's accessories are classic and feminine and very simple.  Need to add a pop of color to an outfit or make yourself look more respectable and presentable?  Just add a chic silk scarf and you're ready to go!



And, of course, Betty is never without the blue blood staple, pearls!  She is often seen wearing big, oversized pearl stud earrings or a delicate necklace.  Slip on a pair of these and your double strand pearl necklace and you'll feel instantly glamorous. 

XOXO,
Jen & Saira

Friday, January 28, 2011

Winter Style: Scarves

A warm neck goes a long way when there are temperatures below freezing and 40 MPH winds. Cover yourself up with a stylish scarf and keep that chill from cooling you to the core.  With over 7 ways to tie it, a scarf can be a winter survival essential and a risk free fashion statement.


Not only is this colorful scarf perfect for fighting frostbite, it's also bright and cheerful enough to warm your mood as you clear those 18 inches of snow from your car.


Who doesn't love pom poms?  This warm knit scarf is grown up and mature looking but the fun and playful pom poms makes us smile as we think back to childhood snow days.


Here are some scarves you can really feel good about!  When you buy one of these lovely hand made scarves  it helps to fund mammograms for women in need!  We particularly like this intricate pattern and modern colors of these hand made alpaca wool scarves, but there are plenty of other styles and colors to choose from.


 These cashmere scarves are luxurious, colorful, and elegant - great for staying warm and for pairing with your professional work attire to look effortlessly chic.


We love vintage looking items! This cream colored crocheted scarf is simply charming and sure to keep you cozy!


Speaking of vintage, how about an infinity scarf (aka: snood)? This popular accessory from the 1940's has morphed from a hairnet to a ski slope staple in the 1950's to it's tubular shape you see today that lets you wear it in a variety of ways!


And, finally, you can never go wrong with a great plaid scarf! Plaid lets you incorporate all the colors you like in a way that is classic and sophisticated.

That's a wrap!

XOXO
Jen & Saira

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Color Day: Tickled Pink

It's almost February (seriously, where did January go?) so that means Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Possibly the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's day is best represented by 2 colors - pink and red.  These colors are the ones most often associated with love and passion so we couldn't let a Valentine's day pass by without them.  Here is a color board to inspire you to embrace Cupid and get started with planning a romantic dinner for 2, a wedding for 200, or just a girly day with your single gal pals.

Shades of Pink Wedding Color Inspiration Board


L-O, L-O, L-O, L-O-V-E

XOXO
Jen & Saira

Monday, January 24, 2011

Mad Men Character Inspiration Part 1: Peggy Olson

It's been a while since we've done a character inspiration for you all to enjoy and as Jen recently has become obsessed with Mad Men we've decided to feature some 1960's fashion.  The 1960's have never been so sexy and Mad Men's three main female characters all have such unique style that we figured it best to do them as three seperate posts.  So, for your viewing pleasure, the next few Mondays will be Mad Mondays here at PDR.

Don't let looks fool you, Peggy Olson is not quite as old fashioned as she seems.  Although she might look innocent and proper, she is quite the independent women and is not afraid to go after what she wants.  Peggy's style is very modest, a little bit kiddish, and definitely the most interesting in terms of silhouettes, patterns, and colors.  While the other leading ladies tend to be a bit more feminine and provocative, Peggy is modest and her work attire says she is polished, professional, and ready to take on anyone who stands in her way.


This conservative top, from Top Shop, is modest, yet the bold color (one Peggy seems to really like) is striking and perfect for any ladder climbing lady.  


That glass ceiling won't stop you in this fitted pencil skirt from ZARA. This is a skirt that says sexy, but professional, and is one you might see on Peggy in the later seasons as she starts to become more powerful and assertive.


For something a little more girlish and flirty, try this skirt from Urban Outfitters.  The pleating makes this knee length skirt look young and adorable. We also love how this skirt looks with those shoes - a very vintage combination!



Peggy usually is a little more covered up than the other girls, so, this dress, from ModCloth, would surely be a hit with its higher neckline and old fashioned pattern and buttons. 


Miss Olson also can been seen in unflattering browns and shades of yellow.  We wouldn't dare put some of those things on here, but this dress, by Mango, does browns in a way that we, and Peggy, would approve of. 


Being an "Ad Girl" isn't easy, but you can at least make it easy on your feet.  Hopping trains from Brooklyn to Madison avenue requires a sensible heel.  These heels from DSW are perfectly retro with their tassel and hounds tooth print. 


And, finally, a Peggy staple -- the tie neck top.  This conservative top is still very feminine and playful, something Peggy would be sure to have in her wardrobe, maybe even in multiple colors and patterns.


XOXO,
Jen & Saira

Friday, January 21, 2011

Real Wedding: Erich and Steph

Tired of all this ice and snow?  Regretting that you ever agreed to a January wedding? Well, brush up on your Espanol and head down to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the like and have yourself a merry little destination wedding.  Not only do we love the idea of a barefoot on the beach weddings, we are all for adventure and that is why we love destination weddings. Luckily enough, today's post is all about a real couple, Erich and Steph, and their destination wedding that we're sure will warm your heart.

Erich, our good friend from Rutgers, met Stephanie about 3 years ago at the gym.  Erich was wearing his usual Life Guard t-shirt, which prompted Stephanie to ask him if he was actually a life guard or if he, like her dad, just wore the shirt. They got to talking, eventually started hanging out, and had their first official date at the Linvilla Orchards where they went apple picking.  Then, one fateful day in August 2009, Steph came home from a long and stressful day of work (first grade teacher! yikes!) to find Erich eagerly awaiting her arrival.  He told her he had a surprise for her, played Brad Paisley's song "Then", asked her to dance and then he proposed.  Steph was shocked as Erich got down on one knee and once she realized what was really happening she immediately started crying, leaving Erich on his knees until he said, "Baby, you need to answer me. My knee is really starting to hurt."  She said yes, of course, and thus began their wedding planning adventure. Here are some of the photos of their wedding in Cancun, Mexico.












Steph knew that she wanted someplace tropical and beautiful for her wedding, so, after checking out some prices, they settled on Cancun, Mexico. We all know that planning a wedding is stressful and as far as planning goes, she said that, although she was never really worried, the most difficult part of planning was getting around the language barrier and communicating with the wedding planner.  Luckily, Steph and Erich didn't focus on a theme or have bridesmaids or colors necessarily and just wanted it to be bright and colorful which made things easier. What also made things simpler was that they didn't have to plan for a lot of people and only invited immediate family to their ceremony.  In conclusion, we asked Steph for her final words of advise on destination wedding planning and she wrote, "Don't be too crazy about the location. We chose the location based on pricing. The resort took care of the rest. Anywhere you go, the resorts do this all the time! Ask questions to the resort, any questions you want, they should answer them with no problem but do not worry about it. It will be beautiful.  Oh! And don't plan it during hurricane season...it is too stressful."



Details:
Venue for wedding: Grand Solaris, Cancun, Mexico
Venue for reception: Lazaretto Ballroom, Essington, PA
DJ: EBE Entertainment, Philadelphia, PA
Flowers: Petals in the Park, Ridley Park, PA
Favors and other decorations: Oriental Trading
Rings: Robbins Diamonds, Newark, DE
Wedding Dress: Frank Bernard Bridal, Wilmington, DE



Thanks, Erich and Steph, for sharing your pictures and destination wedding insight with us. Best wishes for a happy marriage!

XOXO
Jen & Saira

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Color Day: Green, Black, and White

We decided we were in need of a little spring preview, so, here we have a grassy green with the simple and classic black and white.  This color board could be used for a winter or spring wedding that is both traditional and timeless but with a little bit of modern flair.  Black and white says traditional elegance but bold green says fun and fresh, the perfect mix for a modern couple.

Green, Black, and White Inspiration Board

We had a few more images picked out for this one but our computer is giving us some trouble so for more green and black love, check out this board on Fine Stationary's photostream.  Enjoy and know there are bright, fun, and cheerful colors to look forward to this Spring!

Images from: Wedding Tulle, Modcloth, Jessica Claire Photography, David's Bridal, Sweet Water, ao3designs, Candy Paper , Wedding Bee     

XOXO
Jen & Saira

Monday, January 17, 2011

What Dreams May Come

Today we celebrate the birthday of the revolutionary, Martin Luther King, Jr.  Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a better tomorrow for our world. We know that all of your have dreams of your own as well, which vary from world peace, getting that dream job, or making it with Leonardo DiCaprio. Although we do enjoy the occasional daydream, when you think of dreams you most often think of sleeping. Apparently, we spend about 1/3 of our life sleeping, and who knows how much time dreaming, so splurging a little on sheets is not the worst idea in the world. We're big fans of investing in duvets, as they're low maintenance and you're not burdened with buying  a million different comforters every time your bedroom style changes. Instead, you just buy two duvets (one for warm weather, one for cold weather) and as many duvet covers as your heart desires. Take a look:


When it comes to bedding, we are all about florals. We know, floral prints seem cliche and maybe a bit matronly... but we're not talking about your Grandma's florals here! We're talking a white canvas with a burst of color featuring a sketched wild poppy design. It's vibrant and bold, but still minimalist. Take that, pink roses!


While we love florals for bedding, if you're not a girly girl (or your guy is sick of sleeping in pastels) go for a more modern, hip look with this duvet cover from CB2. It's covered with "urban" designs (whatever that means) including coffee mugs, dogs, scooters, and rabbits... oh my!


If you look forward to curling into bed with a good book, then you'll love wrapping yourself up in this duvet covered with love letters. This unique duvet cover collects real love letters from a vintage shop in Brooklyn, which is perfect for those who are romantics at heart.


Another gender neutral pick is this bird design duvet cover by Chinoiserie. It's simple and uncluttered, but still very unique and eye catching. Keep it earth tone with white, beige, or grey sheets, or add a surprise with some hot pink layers underneath.


 Keeping with the bird theme, we love this hand painted duvet cover from Urban Accent Home. This artist has a number of different duvet covers featuring bird designs, which reflect a cool, minimalist style.

Okay, back to the florals! Ikea has some of the most affordable prices around for duvet covers, especially if your purchase them in store. Their designs tend to be a bit more whimsical and bold, which can make bedtime fun for all ages. We like this vibrant, two-sided floral design, as it's a nice balance of color and design. It will pretty much go with any bedroom color scheme, as it includes all the colors in the rainbow!


Have trouble matching your bedding to your custom pea green walls? Go for something simple and neutral like this Marimekko duvet set available at Crate and Barrel.  This set features a metallic silver designs that is both modern (without being minimalistic), chic, definitely friendly for walls of any color.


And, finally, a treat for all you true girly girls, this lovely ruffled duvet cover from Urban Outfitters. Dream the sweetest of dream in this ice cream inspired set, perfect for dressing up even the simplest space.

Sweet dreams,

XOXO
Jen & Saira

Friday, January 14, 2011

Winter Wedding Wonderland

We've already begun exploring the beauty of winter weddings in our Color Day posts, but here's a more in-depth look at all the wonderful options available to you on your big day. There are many things that come to mind when you think of winter: snow, ice, hot cocoa, mittens, sleighs... so why not incorporate these ideas into your decor? 


 Walk down a snow covered aisle by decorating with a white carpet, white chairs, and white flowers. The white on white look creates an elegant and pristine setting for your wedding vows that you will remember for the rest of your life.


A lovely idea is to use Christmas ornaments as place card holders! While we're partial to this delicate snowflake design, you could incorporate your wedding colors, add brighter designs, or engrave your names or wedding date to create a one-of-a-kind wedding favor.


If you're not into florals, have allergies, or are just tired of making choices, ditch the traditional and opt for the pine cone bouquet. It's seasonal, unique, and perfect for a more understated and earthy couple. A more common approach is to incorporate pine cones in your arrangement, but we're all for new ideas and there is something very lovely and down-to-earth about carrying all pine cones. Just be careful when tossing your bouquet! 


Have fun with your wedding photos and throw on some woolen mittens! It looks very cute, keeps you warm, and you can incorporate your wedding colors so that it all ties together. In fact, get pairs for your whole bridal party... they'll thank you the next morning when they're scraping ice off their cars!


Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... on your cake! A snowflake design on your cake is such a simple and charming way to add some flair to your dessert.  While you can go for a more bold approach, we love the delicate snowflakes and how they add just a bit of texture to the icing.

While you'll probably serve hot cocoa at the wedding, how about giving it away as a wedding favor? We love these jars of hot chocolate with little bags of heart shaped marshmallows, but we're especially in love with the packaging!


While winter weddings are beautiful, then can be downright frigid! This is especially the case if you plan on taking photos outside, or your ceremony and reception are at different venues. To stay warm, but still look every bit the bride, throw on a faux fur shawl or coat, which is both stylish and practical. Better yet, get some for your bridesmaids too!


Okay, we're not going to lie... we think ice sculptures are a little over the top. Beautiful, yes... but over the top. But if your heart is set on an ice sculpture, then a winter wedding is the perfect setting for it because, let's face it, having an ice sculpture of a snowflake is much more original than the usual two hearts intertwined.


Not a fan of all white or ice blue? Add some color to your wedding with this gorgeous bouquet full of flora and peacock feathers, with just a touch of holly. The warm, vibrant colors is perfect for a less traditional winter wedding, but is still very seasonal. Plus, Martha Stewart approves!


A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight...

XOXO,

Jen & Saira