hello lions,

it’s fun to be creative with blank spaces! i empathize with marcy blum’s distaste for venue managers who tell me things like “this is what we usually do/ how we usually set up in this room”. we always want to do it differently.

so how do you create or transform a space or tent? we asked local nashville company blue nova designs for help. they are experts at creating a magical realm using drapery and/or props. they have a background in theater draping + stage design. so they have all sorts of tools to fabricate custom pieces that incorporate metal, fabric and lighting! they love custom pieces + would be glad to talk to you about your design ideas. the picasso pictured above was a client request- they liked it so much they made a few more + added it to their inventory!

each of these cubes are 2′ x2′ – so some of these colorful pillars are 8 feet tall!

they have a helpful, friendly + knowledgeable staff who work hard to make the most of your budget. they offer creative fabric solutions  + multi-purpose use of materials.

what do you think? what do you want the overall initial impact to feel like? do you intend to use drapery of any sort?

love to all,

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

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,

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!

for our local feature today, please meet agnes barton- sabo — rockstar cake baker and illustrator. if you want an awesome looking cake, she is the one to call! check out a few of her designs:

love cakes that don’t look like cake. or that look like other foods!

check out the ruler- that is some monster sushi!

love these dia de los muertos cakes too.

agnes tells us that she was brought up in a very artistic home and started making cakes for friends and bands. she is talented in a variety of mediums, “I find that being elbow-deep in buttercream icing or chocolate ganache all day helps me think up lots of new ideas for art pieces.  Likewise, drawing cakes gives me new inspiration for decorating that I get to play out when I’m making real cakes.” how wonderful! food is another way for her to express her artistic nature. she even has copious amounts of food art in her home. you can contact agnes at agnesbartonsabo@gmail.com to request your own original cake!

what sort of designs do you want for your wedding cake?

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 lions!
for our local friday feature, i want to talk about thistle farms. they have products handmade with love + a mission that will touch your heart.

the magdalene house is a place where women can recover from lives of prostitution, substance abuse, violence and imprisonment. the products of thistle farms- made by members of the magdalene house- help support their 2-year rehabilitation program.

we encourage you to be involved in their wednesday morning meditation and also to volunteer. there are other ways to help their program, too! you can purchase thistle farms products at several local stores, including the green wagon, the frothy monkey and on their website!

we believe in women’s rights- including a right to wholeness and happiness- so this is a cause we feel very strongly about. as such, we are proud to sponsor thistle farms product parties! you can arrange for a member of the magdalene house to speak at your bridal shower or bachelorette party, enjoy their products and have an at-home spa party! another bachelorette party idea: go as a group and volunteer to work in the thistle farms shop. it is the perfect way to do good and creates a wonderful bonding opportunity for you + your maids. you can also purchase gifts for your attendants – a luxurious product with a true message. it will be an indulgence your maids will love, with all proceeds going back into the program. they also offer small sachets of lovely lavender, which you could give to your guests to toss after the ceremony, scattered by a flower girl or tucked into your gown in a blue bag- a very meaningful ’something blue’! my favorite idea is to forgo favors- which i know many of you are doing already- and instead make a donation to the magdalene house project.

we love thistle farms and know you will, too! what creative ideas do you have for incorporating their products into your wedding?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
for our local feature friday, i’m pleased to share some photos from the awesome and funky fresh sarah b. sarah is the photographer for angela and troy, the runner- up couple in our recent contest!

(c) sarah b gilliam photography

sarah shoots what inspires her: nature, people, architecture.

(c) sarah b gilliam photography

lucky for us this also includes weddings.

(c) sarah b gilliam photography

breathtaking, no? sarah is a fierce lover of all people and this passion extends into her photographs. check out more photos and get in touch with her kooky sense of humor here!

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello, lions!
today we reveal the top 3 entries to our contest. we’re delighted to introduce them and hope you’ll vote for your favorite wedding! one vote per person, please. voting will close thursday night at midnight central time! duplicates will not be counted.

angela + troy

angela + troy are planning a 1940s glamor wedding for July 24, 2010. their black, white, red and gold themed reception will take place at the hotel preston. they’re planning a cocktail party reception with a signature champagne cocktail- true to the era! angela’s attendants will wear cocktail dresses. angela is also planning a few diy projects including centerpieces of  picture frames, mirrors and candles for an intimate event.

natosha + stephen

natosha + stephen are getting married on october 10, 2010. they chose this date because it represents binary code, which then adds up to the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything (according to the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy): 42. their agnostic ceremony and reception will take place at the rosemont mansion. natosha has chosen a palette of ivory, white, beige, cream and black. she plans to incorporate garden-style greenery and vintage buttons to her decor.

savannah + brian

savannah + brian are planning a 1940/1960 vintage + rock n roll theme wedding. they’re planning to wed on december 11, 2010 at one eleven in downtown nashville.  savannah loves design and printed her own save-the-dates. for her next project, she is planning to produce an entire invitational suite in ’storybook’ form. this is going to be a major diy undertaking considering she will create about 100! their color palette will consist of silver, mustard, cream and black. savannah’s attendants will wear vintage silver and brian’s attendants will wear black or mustard skinny ties.

paco, their pet hamster, will join them on their wedding day as well!

who is your favorite? let us know in the comments below!

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
looking for our giveaway info? tomorrow is the last day to enter-click here!

welcome to our local feature friday. i’m pleased to introduce kevin rogers of KLR Photographyand show some examples of his emotional work!

kevin’s passion for photography is his full-time occupation and you can tell he loves it! he’s available for engagements,  weddings + gay weddings, and parties.

kevin says his view of things is sometimes more skewed to detail and showing how the participants fit into the overall picture. he loves to shoot nature + architecture and his photos reflect those elements as well.

plus, how cool is this Scottish/Gaelic wedding that took place on Halloween/Samhein? This looks like it was a really fun wedding!

what do you think about getting married on or around a popular holiday?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello! lindsey@dandylionevents.com