What to Wear to a Spring Wedding

The Scene

Jean Bean and I weren't the type of little girls that dreamed about big weddings. I wrote about that four years ago when we went wedding dress shopping (rather awkwardly) after she got engaged.



Sure, boys were cute and all but Bean and I were more the type of little girls who loved us some books. We dreamed about writing them some day. We still do.




So on her wedding day, the sight of her slipping into her wedding dress while her nieces intently read their books, made me smile as I choked up.

It was an incredibly intimate, low-key wedding---the best kind if you ask me.




It was also incredibly emotional. The father of JB's fiancee lost his battle with cancer just two weeks before the wedding. He was to be Texas Cowboy's best man.

The minister, a high school friend of Bean's, did a BEAUTIFUL job of weaving TC's father into the celebration of their love.



Reminding us all that at times our saddest moments converge with our happiest. That's just life.

Commitment is about supporting each other through the bad, cherishing the good and surviving everything in between. Jean Bean and I are blessed to have found two men who have stood by our sides through it all---through our greatest triumphs and our greatest tragedies. 

That day, I realized just how much these men have shaped who we've become.  Helping them through their darkest moments, handing them the best part of ourselves has changed us.




It's made us stronger and wiser and more giving. It's transformed us from the girls we once were into the women we are today.

I was 18 when I met Mr. Diabolina and Jean Bean.
And I was 30 when I met Texas Cowboy.




Yet, I can barely remember a time when they weren't all a part of my heart.




I can't wait for the next chapter of our story.


The Wedding Outfits


The bride of all brides wore Carolina Herrera. After all, this is a woman who has spent most of her career on Paris runways. It's her job to know an exquisite dress when she sees it ;)



With sparkly Manolos underneath





The Herrera was perfect. Simply stunning.

Delicious from every angle.





Best of all: scored at a sample sale for mere pennies.
One of the benefits of being tiny and working in the fashion industry

Another benefit: getting your gorgeous make-up did at Neiman Marcus for your wedding.






Her Dior lips and lashes were KILLING me all day.

Also killing me: these baby dolls. JB's nieces.  Best dressed guests.

Learned it from their STUNNING mama---Jean Bean's sister.

Who learned it from her momma---the only tiny momma who rivals mine in cuteness. Adore.her.face!



Best dressed non-family guests: JB's college besties. Perfect floral and Missoni prints for a spring wedding. The three girls became friends when they all studied abroad for a semester. In Paris. Obvi.

 I wore BCBG to my best friend's wedding. Asymmetrical neckline, drapey, floral, easy. Stella McCartney emerald clutch and my nude Louboutin heels, Neiman Marcus purchased (duh!) 

Loved the necklace. A little LA Fashion District find.  Made the whole afternoon-wedding look less precious, more fierce.



Had to bring it for my favorite fashionista.




The Wedding Guest Inspiration 

Christian Louboutin at Neiman Marcus

The Scene

Um, so the very next month after I get my first pair of Louboutins, Jean Bean asks me to interview Mr. Louboutin for NM Daily. 

If that's not a sign from the (fashion) gods that my red soles are on the right path, I don't know what is ;) 

In 25 years, I have never seen Neiman Marcus transform their venerable BH store for a designer like they did for Louboutin's 20th anniversary. The shoe department rolled out the red carpet, gilded furniture and graffiti covered walls (a collaboration with a local artist that was part of the promotion campaign Neiman's created for the event.) 

There was even a blank wall where shoppers could scrawl their own love notes to Louboutin. Ladies who lunch tagging a wall was probably my favorite sight of the day.

As you can imagine, I was super excited to meet the man, the myth. He was absolutely lovely and gracious. Not really the over-the-top character I expected based on interviews I've read. 

Sadly, I only got exactly two minutes with him---in the elevator as we walked out to greet this sea of adoring, well-heeled customers. 

It was the most efficient interview of my life---had to be. 

And, frankly, it was fitting: I got about as much time with him as all the women who had lined up for hours to get his autograph. 

The meet-and-greet went twice as long as planned: that's how many fans showed up, that's how gracious Mr. Louboutin was.

Cali loves Christian and Christian loves Cali. 

The Shoes

Here's the 20th anniversary capsule collection.

Shoes as weapons 

Boots with pockets = winners!

These sluts were my totally impractical faves. Can you imagine the life a woman who buys these leads.  GLAMOUR!

These were my favorite practical studs for the life I actually lead. 

This is the only way stores should display Louboutins: on mirrors so you can see those soles. YUM.

This is the only thing more delicious than Louboutin on a silver tray. 

Yes, I snarfed a popover at Mariposa when I was done with my "work." Let's get real about why I freelance for Neiman's :)

The Outfit

DVF vintage dress

The Accessories

Christian Louboutin peep toes

Chanel bag and earrings

LA fashion district necklace and ring

Forever 21 bracelets

The Grade

B

 

The Commentary

For this look, obviously I built the outfit around the shoes. Pulled a lot of options that worked with my Loubies. Mostly DVF. Makes sense since Diane and Christian are both very much about unbridled femininity and well, sex. Wanted to keep it professional though, or as Jean Bean put it: "Journalism Barbie." 

Opted for the red DVF since red is the Louboutin signature color. Felt obese but what can a popover lover do. Tried to distract from the hips with the Schiap lipstick and the big gold necklace. 

Also picked the dress because the print felt kinda graffiti.  Added the ring for a little matchy-matchy, contrasty pop.

Wish I had had these Louboutins to pair with the look. How perfect would they have been. The wearer was over 60.  My shero. 

The whole event was a dream for fashion fetishists like me.  This was one of my have head-to-toe looks.

And I stopped counting Celine bags after the 10th one I saw. I still want one. Am I stupid?

But the best shoe awards goes to Mr. Louboutin's staff. As we chatted in the hours before the appearance, my eyes would inevitably wander down to their feets.

And every pair I peeped was better than the next. This is one of Msr. Louboutin's PR directors. What a job. 

I almost had a heart attack watching these two men talk to each other.

I wonder what their discount is and how long I have to be friends with them to ask them to help a blogger out.