hello lions,

you have probably seen a store in 12 south called katy k’s. i would highly recommend you visit! below are a few dresses that would be lovely substitutes for the traditional wedding dress (read: white puffball) and be sweet to your budget, too.

1. hellbunny dress (140) black crinoline (45)

goth? hardcore? zombie prom? this fully lined dress is from the uk and totally kicks ass.

check out the bow detail in the back!

2. hellbunny dress (80)

this dress has so much potential! it’s a little girlier, with a very tutu-like tulle skirt.

this dress is fully lined and the flower pin is removable. there are 3 button holes on the straps to adjust for torso length + bust size.

skirt detail:

3. hellbunny ladybug dress (60) white crinoline (45)

planning a warm-weather wedding? this little dress is casual + summer sweet.

love pockets! handy for a hanky, rings or your vows!

4. hellbunny pop dress (70) red crinoline (45)

love this aqua + red print! it’s a little feisty.

this dress also has 2 buttons on the straps to adjust the torso and bust fit. the waist tie is sewn on and cannot be removed.

bust detail:

see katy’s other wares at her etsy shop, on ebay and on facebook! or stop by 2407 12th avenue south to try them on for yourself- they’re open every day of the week.

the most important thing is to find a dress you love to wear + makes you feel magnificent. what is your criteria for the perfect outfit on your wedding day?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
we have some exciting projects underway! not the least of which is a 6 foot mobile for a december wedding. here is a sneak peek:

while we love crafty craftiness, planning and forethought goes into all of our projects.  there are logistical issues like the actual physics of creating it, transportation, relocation and maintenance. it is now complete and looks great. many thanks to all the lovely lions who made it out to our mobile-making party to put it all together!

what are you creating today?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
we’re excited to be hosting a queercamp unconference in nashville- at the outcentral cultural center on church street. it will take place on saturday, may 29th with presentations beginning at 10am.

the first queercamp was last year in milwaukee, and this year it has expanded to include nashville and chicago. you lions know that we promote equality and community- and that is what this event is about!

the unconference structure allows participants to present, so the more people who participate, the more fun it will be! you can register here, and the best part is that it’s totally free. yup! join us in creating this FIRST EVER opportunity for the nashville lgbt community to gather to learn together, grow together and shape the future.

some of you may not be familiar with the concept of an unconference but let me assure you it’s not as cofusing as it sounds. anyone can sign up to speak, and then other participants sign up for the classes they want to attend. if you get inspired during the day there will be an impromptu room set up for you to talk to a group on the spot! we do schedule the speeches in advance, so if you’re interested in talking about anything at all, please contact me at lindsey[at]dandylionevents.com or 615.439.0652 (texts are okay too). once we have a few topics solidified, we’ll post a schedule so those who wish to participate can plan their day. easy, right? community-focused and driven. did i mention how excited we are?

be sure to check out our ad in out & about nashville in may. many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, kevin at KLR Photography. be sure to show him some love!

*disclaimer: we do not intend for the word ‘queer’ to offend anyone. we are an offshoot of the original event and chose to maintain that connection. we love every lion and do not use it as a slur or in any way demeaning to the lgbtqti lions out there.

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar and sign up to speak! lindsey@dandylionevents.com

Hello my darling lions!

It’s local feature Friday yet again, and I’m so excited to feature a business near and dear to my heart here in beautiful Asheville. Casey and Grace of Dang Salon are incredibly creative, cognizant, and cutting edge when it comes to your look.

Dang Salon is located in Asheville’s River Arts District (which, at its core, is one of the coolest places to hang out in the entire city) in the Phil the Mechanic building, which houses a multitude of artists from a wide range of disciplines.

I know…not where you think you could find the best place to get your hair transformed into something amazing, is it? Well, you step inside…

…and awaiting you is an oasis of hair care and style!

The girls at Dang only use Paul Mitchell products, especially since a wide range of their products are vegan and environmentally friendly. Not only does that benefit the environment, but for those of us who, ahem, encourage our hair to stay a certain shade, it doesn’t completely wreck and ravage your hair.

The decor in the shop is delightfully funky and fun. Instead of sitting in squeaky vinyl chairs under the dryer, they have a set of mustard yellow wing chairs straight out of the past that are extremely comfortable.

Beyond the furnishings, you have two talented stylists who really listen to what their clients want and need. Grace, the tamer of my tresses, is the only stylist I know of that makes my hair BEHAVE. See, I have very thick, very wavy, coarse hair that I keep auburn (which yes, is pretty close to my natural hair color…even though I haven’t seen it in 10 years) and love to have it voluminous. Most stylists thin it out, chop it off, flat iron it into submission, and try to give me blond highlights.

Grace listens to what I want, gives her own feedback, and I turn her loose on my head of hair. For example, it’s springtime here in the mountains, so I wanted to add some oomph to my dark auburn mane. We broke out the color book, found a couple shades we both loved (that would work with my redhead skin), and Grace went to town!

She glazed it (a semi-permanent color that washes out over 6-8 weeks that allows natural tones and shades to come through) with an intense cherry-bomb red that keeps it its “natural” auburn under the fluorescent lights of my office building, but becomes this gorgeous mass of nearly-fire-engine-red when I’m outside. She also trimmed up my top-most layer and neatened up my bangs, along with very loosely pin-curling my hair while it dried. The result?

Vavoom! Pure 70’s movie star magic! I love how it moves, feels, and the fact I can recreate this look at home! And yes, my darling lions, these two fierce ladies do some AMAZING bridal hair. They take your hair and, while staying true to your sense of style, transform it into the best it can be!

AND, as Asheville is an emerging city, Dang does NOT charge out the nose for their services. They are affordable but, honestly, I would recommend them solely on the basis of the quality of care.

So please, darling lions, consider giving Grace or Casey a call next time you’re having a hair emergency, a crisis of color, or want something truly dandy and unique for your wedding or special occasion. They rock!

(Grace, the guru of my hair!)

Contact Grace Tasedan or Casey McCuller @ 828.225.3225 and let them completely rejuvenate your hair!

Pushing boundaries as always, with love,

Amanda
give me a roar: amanda@dandylionevents.com

hello lovely lions!

in honor of our local roller derby team, the nashville roller girls, these inspiration boards are black + blue!

ideas for the bride:

(clockwise from top left)

get in your something blue with these ’sweet ass’ britches -from hotacrossbuns

this could be worn as a necklace or bouquet charm- from nikkisuniques

blue glitter ‘rockn’ rolla’ ring -from walk on the moon

black + white tulle skirt- from mtcoffinz

for your partner or your ‘maids:

(clockwise from top left)

knee-length blue tutu- from sisters of the moon

awesome gift idea- magnetic paper dolls- ‘tattoo sampler’- from elizabeth ocean (the sailor is my favorite)

black, purple, teal + turquoise miniskirt- from MTcoffinzUndergroud

black + blue feather fascinator -from alice and the owl

i couldn’t make up my mind between the two tutus- you could mix and match, or wear them in layers!

for everything else:

(clockwise from top left)

blue super roller girl- could use for save the dates! -from rhodaperdition

needlepoint kitsch decor- from moxiedoll

vintage patch for shirts, bags or favors!- from twitch and whiskers

cluster ball bearings for a non-perishable bouquet, or give one to your sweetie!- from derbylicious

i’m super excited about this saturday’s double header, but sad that i can’t attend.  i hope you’ll go + cheer on our local derby team! get there early, especially if you want to sit in the bleachers instead of the aptly-named suicide seats. they always sell out their bouts! oh, and wear something black + blue too! you can pick up merchandise, such as t-shirts, posters and patches, once you’re there. it’s easy to find from wedgewood and the parking is free!

where do you draw your wedding inspiration? is it internal or external?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
let’s talk today about a very common phenomena- planning burnout. this usually occurs a few months into the planning process for a couple of reasons:

- you have your priorities nailed down and now the rest feels like tedious details- taxes? legalities?

- you’re receiving pressure from external sources: parents, future in-laws, bridal magazines + tv shows, traditions that other people feel you should uphold, being offered a few ugly dresses with great pride, great aunt suzy who never married + is living vicariously through you. it happens.

- there’s internal pressure, too- desire to create a perfect and beautiful event, budget constraints, trying to keep everyone happy and avoid hurt feelings, and family dynamics are very stressed and painful-even things that are routine and now normal to your life, like an unsupportive parent, can be cast out into the glarish sunlight as you try to plan your stellar nupitals.

- you start to wonder if the expense is worth it? i mean, at the end of the day, you’re still married!

even though it feels like crap, take heart in the knowledge that it’s an experience everyone goes through.

now, here’s the silver lining- it can be used for good:
- it will help keep your expenditures, and the event as a whole, in perspective
- it will cause you to focus on what’s driving you to make a commitment in the first place- a kick-ass relationship!

easiest remedy: get away. no, seriously. if your future m-i-l is ringing the phone off the hook, turn it off.  leave the house without your cell. if you can physically get away together, then do so. if not, then schedule mandatory non-wedding time. play with your puppy or get out the nes. go for a hike. do something you really love to do, together, and reaffirm your purpose for all the stress- the celebration of your love for one another.

what do you think? what is your greatest stressor right now?

love to all,

amanda, lindsey + meredith

the lionesses

say hello: info@dandylionevents.com

so if you saw this

and are now considering eloping because of the cutesy overload

and wanted to take that vomitrocious crap and make the happy couple into zombies

you’re in the right place.

love to all,
lindsey

hello lions,
for our local nashville feature, i’m happy to be sharing pictures and stories courtesy of stephanie at la photographie nashville. (she also provided the awesome images for our giveaway post.)

la photographie can travel through the entire planning process with you, from your engagement photos,

to boudoir shots,

to the big day itself!

plus, my personal favorite- their classic pin-up style!

whether your style is rockabilly, 1920s- 1940s glamour or timeless + classic, la photographie can provide a powerful set of clear + beautiful images. they’ll make your wedding photos pop! how do you want to remember this special time?

with love,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

we’re doing a give-away. the details are super-secret right now but i’ll be sharing more info on friday. in the meantime, sign up for our rss feed in the top right corner or subscribe to our dandyMail so you don’t miss a thing!

whatever could it be?

with love,

lindsey

got something to say? give it to me straight: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lovely lions,

today i want to share ideas from LITTER- a sf based jewelry company. rachael and mackenzie mann, sisters and designers, make metal ornaments for your head, torso, arms, legs and shoes. any of their handmade + recycled jewelry would bring some moxie to a plain dress! they said they would be wearing their favorite pieces for their own weddings, too. each piece is one-of-a-kind because they are made from random pieces of scrap metal. that’s a lot of love in each piece!

with edgy designs and recycled metals, LITTER really packs a punch:

box lay

this headband is sure to make for a beautiful day. it would be a good choice if your wedding is bohemian, grecian or steampunk. it would add sparkle and texture with your hair up or down!

chainmail harness

i love this full-body metal harness.. you could add it to a plain dress for an individual statement with a little bite. who says your jewelry has to be modest, cute or boring?

dripping with gold shoulder piece

these slim gold bands have a beautiful flow- wear two with a dress that doesn’t have sleeves, such as a roman-inspired draped gown. or you could place them over a tight-fitting jacket for a femininely militant look.

light silver shoulder piece

these pieces would add a good weight to a corset or jacket for a punk or goth wedding. it would complement thicker, more substantial materials like leather and wool.

bullets and chains knee strap

sexy jewelry? yes, please- add some appealing danger with this bullet garter. or wear it at knee height with a short dress!

jay walk

these look badass.  the heel height emphasizes the look, so consider that when you’re looking for your shoes.

special thanks to LITTER for permitting me to post these pictures. check out more at their website!

love to all,

lindsey

say hey: lindsey@dandylionevents.com