Dress Shop: Flirty Florals

Dress shopping can be a fun, all-day event with your girlfriends. But more often than not, it's something you do after work or online in between drafting emails, going to meetings, and reading gossip blogs. So, to help make life easier, we thought we would share some of our favorite dresses for all occasions with you, our lovely readers, starting with some of our spring favorites:

We are obsessed with this vibrant, fun dress from Anthropologie. It has a vintage look to it, and is perfect for a lunch with the girls or dinner out with your man. Plus the full skirt is perfect for twirling.

Or, check out a slightly more traditional floral print with this great spaghetti strap dress from Arden B.  This dress is so extremely feminine with it's dainty print & romantic colors. And the details like the tiered & ruffled top, faux rhinestone buttons, and pleats make this dress even cuter!

Sophisticated and pretty without being boring, this dress from J.Crew is what every girl needs this spring. Add some flavor to your work style by topping it off with a blazer, or show off your tan with bangles and sandals.



Not looking to make such a big color splash at work? Nordstrom offers a more subdued alternative that is professional and fashionable. The floral print is a nice addition to the traditional sheath dress, and the patent leather belt emphasizes the hourglass silhouette.

If you want to keep up with the trends but floral prints aren't really your thing, play it safe with this chic dress from Ann Taylor. The colors are muted and the floral pattern is very subtle. This dress can be extremely versatile and would be a great piece to spruce up your spring wardrobe.

While we usually try to share pieces that are affordable, this floor length gown by Theia, (available at Bloomingdale's,) is something we would definitely splurge on if we could! Sexy and romantic, you're sure to be the center of attention at any event... just ditch the tulle headband.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,
Jen & Saira 

Color Day: Green Apple

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Inspired by this holiday's most beloved hue, here is another refreshing inspiration for spring.  Green is a staple in our wardrobe, but for spring fashion and weddings, we particularly love this "green apple" shade. It's a fun and fresh hue that is also very modern and versatile.  Because it's such a bold color, our palette focuses on the green alone, toning it down with shades of white and taupe, to create a very clean and crisp look. But if you're looking for something more fun and vibrant, then you could also switch gears and opt to accent the green with pinks and fuscias, or for a more dramatic look, throw in some chocolate brown, red, or black.

Images taken from various sites and blogs: BestWeddingSites, DoestheDressFit, Brenda'sWeddingBlog, BeyondtheBride, BridalBuds, WeddingPaperDivas, OneWed, Stand Mixer, Keep Calm Print

Happy Decorating!

XOXO,
Jen & Saira

Made with Style: Cute Gifts for the Kitchen

We think the perfect recipe for romance (or cupcakes?) starts with cute kitchen accessories!  It is no secret that families spend a good amount of time in the kitchen, so why should your kitchen lack style or character?  Luckily we have come across some unique items that can help add a little spice to your kitchen. These items would be excellent as bridal shower gifts, a birthday present for a fellow foodie, or just a little something fun for yourself.

Here is a gift you can give that is not only functional, but incredibly adorable! We love items that serve dual purposes and these Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls do just that!  They will look great as decor on your counter when not in use, but when you need to measure out your ingredients for a recipe they break into 6 measuring cups from 1/4 cup to 1 cup.   Available from one of our favorite stores, Urban Outfitters, for just $12.

There are all kinds of measuring spoons out there on the market -- from your regular old plastic ones, to ones on rings to keep them together, to magnetic ones.  But none of those options exactly attractive or pretty, and they all just end up getting lost in a drawer. So why not give someone a useful kitchen gift that can enjoy as a decorative item as well?  We recommend these cute spoons from beehivekitchenware.  These are measuring spoons that are meant to be displayed!

  

Butter deserves a beautiful home too! This milkmaid butter dish available at Anthropologie is perfect for holding your butter and keeping it fresh. The trick is to set your butter out for 30 minutes in room temperature before serving it alongside your bread -- that way it will be perfect for spreading! 

How romantic!  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so we think it is certainly necessary to surprise your loved one(s) with a breakfast that really shows how you feel about them.  These little silicone cups, available at from Amazon, poach your eggs in the shapes of charming little hearts!!

Unique dishware says a lot about who you are! Having guests over for dinner? Serve that mac and cheese in these unique casserole dishes that are handmade in Peru by designer Tammy Milani.  Fresh, modern colors and patterns give these dishes a look that is sure to intrigue guests and spark conversation!

Who wouldn't want to play in the kitchen with this adorable critter baking pan from Crate & Barrel. This aluminum pan is sure to provide some tasty treats, and think of all the fun you'll have with the frosting!

And, of course, no home is complete without a kitschy set of salt and pepper shakers. You can get pretty much anything and everything in salt shaker form, from the overly cutesy to the ultra modern. Our pick are these ninja shakers from Patina, because they make seasoning your food fun.  Go ahead, add some salt and pepper...your dinner guests will never see it coming.

XOXO,
Jen & Saira

Gossip Girl Style, Part 1 of 4: Serena van der Woodsen

Tonight is Gossip Girl night on The CW and we are huge fans of "the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite".  Therefore, for the next few Mondays, you can look forward to our Gossip Girl character inspirations featuring 4 of the most prominent ladies of Manhattan (and Brooklyn!).  To start off our GG series, we've gone with everyone's favorite reformed party girl, Serena van der Woodsen.

Serena, unlike Blair, is more of a free spirit and her wardrobe reflects that.  She has a nice mix of classy pieces, flirty girly outfits, casual bohemian style, and rocker-chick apparel and accessories, and she combines them for a look that is unique and carefree, and always super sexy. Here are a few items we think would suit our socialite perfectly:

If you want to channel you inner Serena try on this halter dress from Free People. Like Serena, it's sexy and intriguing with just a touch of bohemian. All you need is a pair of heeled booties and tousled hair, and Nate Archibald is all yours.

 Boots are a staple of the Serena van der Woodsen wardrobe and she has many different colors and styles.  This boot by Steve Madden is definitely one we can picture S strutting in -- it's casual enough for some skinny jeans, but if you want to be like S you'll wear these with a way-too-short-to-not-be-wearing-leggings dress.

You'll also need to make sure your style is a perfect balance of boho-chic meets rocker chick.  Serena often expresses her edgy side in her choice of jewelry and we think this necklace from Express is the best of both worlds with its bohemian layered look and the rocker studs!

Who can pull off a vest better than Serena?  S loves layers, and this studded vest is definitely something she would throw over a loose tank or a tight mini dress, to give it some extra flair. Added bonus: it's from Forever 21, so you can be stylish without breaking the bank.

A chic summer outfit that shows lots of skin? This sexy romper is definitely a staple for our party girl Serena. Available at Urban Outfitters, you can just picture Serena strutting down the streets in sky high heels, with gold bangles, and of course, her signature blonde hair.

Or for a formal occasion, like an Ambassador's dinner or wedding, you might want to try this floor length tiered black dress by Calvin Klein.  Typically S opts for dresses that just barely cover her, but we went with this dress because we think it is very elegant, simple, and effortlessly sexy, just like Serena.

XOXO,
Jen & Saira

Real Wedding: Jen & Tom

We think one of the best ways to capture the beauty and romance of weddings is to share the pictures of our friends and readers. To kick off our blog, it seemed most fitting to share the pictures of our very own Doll, Jen!
 

Jen and Tom met our freshman year of college, and it was pretty much picture perfect from the start. They were best friends, a few months later they fell in love, and the rest is history. Their wedding style reflected their personalities: fun, energetic, quirky, and sweet. Set at the Morris Arboretum, a historic carriage house and garden just outside of Philly, the wedding was a nice mix of traditional and whimsical. The officiant was the groom's roommate, there were assorted pies and a candy bar in lieu of wedding cake, mini cheese steaks and a french fry bar for hors-oeuvres, a DIY photo booth, and a wish tree as an interesting twist on a guest book. A perfect beginning for a perfect couple, here's a glance at Jen &Tom's wedding:

Details about Jen & Tom's Wedding after the break!  If you'd like to share pictures from your special day, please send us an email at paperdollromance@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you and possibly feature your wedding in a future post!

These pumps were made for working...

The saying is "dress for success," and this most definitely includes shoes. Every girl in the workforce knows that a good pair of heels can go a long way. While we prefer a pair of cute flats for every day in the office, heels are a definite must for every professional woman. They are sexy, sleek, and powerful... plus we hear that they help tone your legs when you walk. So here are our top picks of professional, yet stylish, heels to wear in the office and spice up any ensemble.

One of our favorites is the "blush" colored "ULLTRA" pump from Steve Madden. This heel is incredibly wearable to the office or would look great with a cute pair of jeans and a flirty top! Or, now that spring is here (fingers crossed), imagine dressing up these pumps  with a pretty floral dress and blazer. We can't wait! Plus, if you have pale skin (like Jen), this color will help make your legs appear even longer! Ah, what a magical pair of shoes!

This from Joan & David pump is an another comfortable option, but one that is slightly more conservative and perfect for your big meeting (or interview)! It offers a subtle pop of color and a little bit of hardware, giving the classic pump a modern twist. It stands out just enough to be fun, but is discrete enough to wear in front of your boss. Plus you can coordinate it with pretty much every suit color!

One look that we can't get enough of are lace-up heeled oxfords like this pair by Mossimo. This is a modern take on the traditional men's dress shoe that is just perfect for the winter, fall, and early spring. While this look may not be for everyone, it's ideal for the working girl who wants something more practical, and without all the fuss.

For a dainty and ultra feminine look, try this adorable pump from Nine West! The heel height is just right to be able to comfortably wear at the office all day, but the patent finish allows for a seamless transition for an evening out or special event. Our favorite part of this shoe is the delicate ankle strap which adds both style, and more importantly, support! Also available in pink and black! 

Like the strappy look but not the 3 inch heel? Ralph Lauren offers a simple, comfortable choice with their Mary Janes. They are conservative but still very chic and feminine, and give a classy touch to every outfit. Not only are they a throwback to our youth, but they're also on sale!

And, finally, the ULTIMATE pair of pumps is, of course, the Christian Louboutin Platform Pump. While they sport a staggering 4 1/2 inch heel, they are one of the most comfortable heels on the market, not to mention the most popular. Forget about just wearing them in the office, these heels are everywhere on the red carpet. Of course, there is the teensy matter of the price -- they go for a whopping $695.00 at Bergdorf's. But never fear! Many designers have copied the style at a much more affordable price. While not as comfortable, Jessica Simpson, Steve Madden, BCBG, and Mossimo have all come out with comparable pieces, at a fraction of the cost.

Happy shopping!

XOXO,
Jen & Saira 

Wednesday is Color Day!

Happy humpday, dolls! You're in for a treat today! Wednesdays are color days and for our first color day we'll feature one of our favorite combos for Spring - gray & lemon yellow! Translate these calming hues into your home, your wedding, or your wardrobe for a fresh and modern look for spring.

Clockwise from Top Left: Invitations by Dawn, Handmade boutonnieres, Dress, Table Setting with Yellow Chair, Lemonade, Ties, Stamps, Ring, Shoes, Cupcake, Coasters, Flower, Clutch

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,
Jen & Saira