hello lions!

i had a friend ask me about vintage dresses in nashville, so i did some searching! these are very colorful- i didn’t want to do white or black again.

first stop was out at 100 oaks at the gaslamp antique mall. it wasn’t easy to get there (hidden behind home depot) but it was worth it! parlour held so many treats for us!

1. pale blue with dots + sash- $20

(c) elle sea photography

2. blue shift with bird- $ unknown

(c) elle sea photography

3. green long gown- $ unknown

(c) elle sea photography

4. orange- $45

(c) elle sea photography

we moved on to pre-to-post modern. love this pink mini!

5. pink mini- $65

(c) elle sea photography

6. red- $26

(c) elle sea photography

this last one is my favorite, i admit! it’s so ridiculous + special. i helped with a really cool wedding last year + you could’ve worn this, seriously!

tell me, which one is your favorite? and which vintage shops do you love to visit?

with love,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,

happy to be bringing back local feature friday- nashville is such a wonderful place to live!  there is so much to do and see. and hear.

white table is a linen company focused on transformations and individual service. they have showrooms in knoxville and chatanooga, but twitterer + representative rachel says they’re in nashville often. they don’t offer you swatches and books when you come in- they’ll actually pull different items and dress a table for you so you can see all of the different elements come together. very helpful tool, especially if your decor is eclectic. they also make custom items if you’re looking to make your event very personal and memorable!

one of rachel’s favorites: hand stitched burlap runners

one of my favorites: pink feather boa chair covers!

many thanks to rachel for sharing her passion about transforming spaces. they certainly have some cool options!

for more local resources, check out these lists that tn buy local put together for planners, rentals and shops.

love to all,

lindsey

meow? lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hey lions,

i try to look at the things that inspire me- you know, the things that work, and the things that don’t. right now i’m inspired by tv. i know, it’s evil, alright? and bridal tv is sickening. but two things on ifc have recently made me really happy.

the first is freaks and geeks. i have siblings, and friends with siblings, who are currently experiencing the hell known as highschool. i wouldn’t go back for 1 million ruppees but it’s nice to know that some things- like social awkwardness, family drama/changes in dynamics and the name lindsay are universal regardless of the decade.

the second is FOOD PARTY. if you ever wondered what it’s like inside my head, it’s this. i can’t explain how awesome, random and bizarre this show is- you just have to see it for yourself. it comes on tuesdays at 10pm so be sure to tune in- for as long as you can handle it. for instance: face mask made from avocado, honey, olive oil and just 1 drop of satan’s blood? don’t mind if i do!

lastly, if you really want to know what’s inside my head…(makes more sense if you listen to this)

what’s in your head today?

love to all,

lindsey

i’d love to hear from you: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,

as you may already know, i have no knowledge of makeup whatsoever. i’m open to learning, though! lisa johnson, mua, has taken the time to tell us her current hair + makeup loves.

1. Ballerina Buns

It’s one of the biggest hair trends this spring. Buns were also one of my favorite looks at the LANVIN Spring 2010 show. It’s time to start investing in bobby pins!

2.  Lower Lash Lines

False lower lash lines trend is giving your eyes a new look for spring. The look can be very dramatic and bold. Is this trend a go or would you pass on this one? Shu Uemura Premium Radiant Blue False Eyelashes $50

3. Braids

I always loved the fish tail braids. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to add style to your look. The hair style can be messy but still chic.

4. Crimped Textured Hair

I remember watching the Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2010 show and I was really excited to see crimped hair on the models. Crimped textured goddess hair is so in for spring!

5. Purple is Still On

Believe it or not, purple is still a favorite beauty trend rolling into spring.

6. Bright Lips

Bright lips at the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 show was the look. Pink or Red Lips? Both are great colors for spring but remember to keep the eye makeup subtle.

7. Give Me Shimmer

Spring is all about the shimmer. Pair it with a pink lip gloss… ooh la la! NARS Orgasm Illuminator leaves your skin luminous and radiant. Remember, a complexion that glows…goes! $29

8. Pastel Eyes

The 80’s trend is in full effect and will surely give your eyes some pop with shades of purples, blues, and cotton candy shadows.

9. Peach Lips

hello lions,

what’s all this crap we’ve been hearing recently, saying that neutrals are in? we don’t care what the “trends” are- we want your wedding to express who you are. that includes light + lightheartedness! not this dark, neutral, somber mess. going along with that, we love color! don’t be afraid of it- embrace it. here are some lively pieces from emmaline bride to get you inspired!

this fresh + funky board has vivid colors and unusual pastels. i like to mix and match, otherwise it can be too prissy and boring. unusual color combinations- like the clutch and fascinator- are wild and fun!

(clockwise from top left)

navy + lime clutch- from emmagordonlondon

awesome multi-colored fascinator- from rachel larraine

Mr T cufflinks- from mosochic

colorful crinoline for under your or your partner’s gown! can be created in a variety of hues- from loca loves pirate

okay, so this one got a little carried away in the springy feel but the vivid colors are far from childish. it could be for a carnival wedding (cotton candy, anyone?) or a video game inspired event (like animal crossing or katamari).

(clockwise from left)

handmade fabric bouquets- customizable in any color! -from jilliann’s

50 strand button bouquet- looks good enough to eat! – also from jilliann’s

yellow orchid fascinator- sexy!- from loca loves pirate

monogrammed paper mobile- from my lady dye

what do you think, lions? what sort of colors are you excited to try, or shying away from?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: 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 my darling lions!

In the vein of my fellow lioness Lindsey, I’d like to open up the floor for questions.

What’s that one floral + ambiance question that’s bugging you?

(My work, as modeled by the lovely, rocking Wade and Lily. Lily and I worked together for two years and I love her rocking attitude. We made her wedding very edgy, pink, and rocker-chic-glam.)

Here’s your chance to pick my brain about floral design, colors, textures, music…almost anything!

Pushing boundaries of love, as always:

Amanda

floral  + ambiance lioness

send some love my way: amanda@dandylionevents.com

Good morning, lovely lions!

I’m busy as a little bee, trying to get my mom’s house (because her table seats a whole lot more than my little bistro table) prepared for a large influx of friends, relatives, and one horse-of-a-puppy named Oliver for Thanksgiving. I love tablescaping, especially for a holiday. I’m decorating for the event, so I thought I would share some of my favorite ideas for creating a fun, funky, and fabulous setting for your dinner with your loved ones.

1) Tablecloths are your friends. I like to layer different colors, textures, and sizes to create depth to my base. For example, start with an aubergine colored heavy linen tablecloth and put an antiqued gold sheer runner over the top, with maroon and aubergine fabric napkins at everyone’s place setting. In fact…this leads me to my second idea concept…

2) Look away from your typical color palette. Most people use the same old reds, oranges, and yellows for Thanksgiving. I lovelovelove deep purple on my table to compliment the reds and golden yellows of autumn. Try accents of bright green, too.

3) Height=AWESOME. When you’re putting your tablecloths down, use things like books, cake stands, and platters underneath to create height so when you put out your beautiful spread, you don’t have a flat spread.

4) Flowers aren’t everything. Yes, you just saw the floral + ambience lioness go against her stripes. Thanksgiving is a season of bounty, and that screams edible arrangement to me. One of my favorites is the very kitsch cranberry tree; take a foam cone form (found at your local craft store), and stud with cranberries on toothpicks. Bowls of oranges, pears, bunches of wheat…think of what goes into a cornicopia and mass them together.

5) Check out your china cabinet! I’m pulling my whole color scheme this year from one of the most amazing presents ever. You see, my husband and I chose not to register for china when we got married because…well, when would we ever use it! My wonderful Mimi gave me her “china” pattern from 1953 for my birthday last year. My dandyLion grandmother went against the grain in 1953 and registered for pottery instead of frou frou china. I’m very excited to use my Redwing Capistrano set and my linens will reflect it: a black heavy under linen with a light green leaf-patterned runner with stoneware bowls of fruit instead of flowers.

Give thanks this year for your creativity, dear lions. If you look outside of your box again and take your cues from vintage touches, your Thanksgiving will be amazing.

Until next time, with much love and sweet potatoes,

Amanda
floral + ambiance lioness

say bonjour: eustoma.grandiflora@gmail.com

When you see a bridal bouquet or a table center, what do you see first? Do you see the perfect ivory Eskimo roses nestled in gently, or do you see the filamentous asparagus fern? Do you see the delicate ruffles of carnations or the bright pops of billy balls? A good floral designer will give you texture and color together in an arrangement no matter how big or small.

Texture, as a design student will define it, is the visual and physical surface quality of materials and objects used within in an arrangement. I love playing with different textures in an arrangement because it invites someone to interact with your designs. It gives you depth and contrast without detracting from the balance and proportion of the work as a whole.

So, dearest lions and lionesses, let me introduce my favorite textural elements in a design. The fabulous design lioness herself gave me three color swatches to have my fun with.

This combination is one of my FAVORITES! I’m a purple girl at heart, but paired with the light spring green and contrasted with the rich Kelly green it pops out.

This is a bouquet very similar to one I produced in green and orange recently. (Much love to Waterlilly Floral Design for their work!). Look at how the deep purple ruffles of the hyacinth pop against the foxtail fern and poppy pods…your eye can’t stay still in this design! Also, check out the grapevine curling up over the side. Grapevine, kiwi wine, or even kudzu (trust me…used it many times before!) can give you a really nice contrast from the woodsy nature of the vines to the delicate flowers beneath.

This color palette reminds me of an Indian summer; the leaves have started changing a little bit, but there are still some holdouts. Smoky and sexy are two words that come to mind since none of the colors really pop.

This beautiful tablescape is actually a design I helped produce at Studio Flora Diva in Asheville, NC. Martha (our smoky topaz bride) wanted something opulent and rich for her feasting table. Those are a series of low arrangements placed side-by-side using orange Mokara orchids (something fun for a change other than dendrobiums), safari sunset leucodendron, chocolate cymbidium orchid blooms, dark red roses, and green hydrangea. The hydrangea give this amazing ruffled texture that contrasts against the velvety red roses.

Ooh…a challenge! I know a lot of brides are anti-greenery. This particular color palette opens a whole new world to designers: monochromatic. Finding tints, tones, and shades within one singular color can really test a designer’s mettle.

This bounty of beauty was created by the head Diva over at Studio Flora Diva for Martha’s sexy, smoky fall soirée. I use this image talking about texture a lot because this is a monochromatic white design, yet it seems so deep because of all the textures happening. Compare this design to the bridesmaids bouquets to see the whole gold/orange palette used.

Brave brides and gutsy party hostesses everywhere are venturing away from the mono-floral, sedate color palettes of the past few years. Try some different textures and new color palettes on for size; it doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy to be beautiful!

By Amanda Glenn-Bradley, guest lioness- email her at eustoma.grandiflora@gmail.com

thank you amanda for sharing your floral knowledge with us all!

say hi: lindsey@dandylionevents.com