Pure romance is exuded with this delicate pastel ensemble.  Rosettes, flowing hair, vintage accents, and the girlishness that comes with light pink and blue are perfect for your wedding event.  Whether your collecting ideas for your wedding, wedding reception, or bridal shower, this romantic theme is sure to be a hit.

From top left: Peacock Invitation, Alice Louise Press available at New and Blue; wedding dress, Vera Wang; favor box, b.t. elements available at New and Blue; cupcake tower, Pink Frosting; earrings, diamond.com; bridesmaid dress, Alvina Valenta; vintage table setting, photo from Style Me Pretty; Corner Scroll magnet in bliss, save-the-date-magnet.

Tiffany & Co. has a new collection of sparkly engagement rings that are elegant and modern.  The Tiffany “Bezet” follows the contours of the brilliant diamond, accentuating its shape in a streamlined platinum bezel setting.  Gorgeous in round, princess, pear or heart shape…wouldn’t you agree?!

Statement necklaces are all over the runways and red carpets this season.  So, why not bring this trend to your bridal attire?  A statement necklace is a bold way to make an outfit completely unique and fashion forward.  Choose this accessory for the rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid lunch, or even on the big day itself.  Plus, after your wedding, you can recycle this cool fashion piece and incorporate it into your daily wardrobe.  Below are a few pieces that we absolutely loved.  Check them out!

From left: Ring-a-ling necklace, Jen’s Jewelry; photo, Angela Anderson; Avalanche necklace, J. Crew; Raine Necklace, Meg Jewelry, Louiselle Necklace, Chico’s; Citrine by the Stones necklace, Bloomigdales; Rachel Leigh necklace, shopbop.com.

Interested in something other than a sandy beach and snorkeling for your honeymoon?  Thinking about a mix of activity and relaxation?  Love to cook as much as you enjoy eating?  How about a culinary adventure to Tuscany?  You can study, savor, shop and site see at a relaxed pace. 

Organic Tuscany is located between Florence and Siena, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy.  Experience hands-on Italian cooking classes which are “from farm to table,” accommodations in a beautiful 19th century Tuscan villa on a farm, exploring nearby medieval cities, relaxing by the pool, gentle countryside walks, picnic lunches and wine tasting.  If that sounds as good to you as it does to us, click here to experience a typical week at Organic Tuscany.  Makes us want to go on another honeymoon! 

Looking for something a bit closer to home, how about Cooking with Julie, in Napa Valley?  Prefer Mexican to Italian, try Casa Sagrada in Oaxaca.  Love pho over farfalle then check out Red Bridge Restaurant & Cooking School in Hoi An.

Happy Honeymoon!

Your wedding day is your day to shine and gorgeous bridal beauty is key.  Now, false eyelashes may not be part of your desired beauty regiment but for those of you that prefer to glam it up, they can help to accentuate your pretty peepers.  However, if you ladies out there are anything like a few of us here at New and Blue, when hearing the phrase “false eyelashes” we immediately revert back to those futile attempts which ended in gluey fingers and a lash-line mid lid.  Well, if your looking to give the application process another go, we found this super helpful video by Sephora.  It really outlines the best way to correctly apply those falsies!  Check it out!

Invitation Board:  Luscious in Rhubarb & Black

Clockwise from upper left:  Kate Spade Gratis Heel, Talbots Rose Scholarship Scarf, Kenny Shop Black Satin Evening Bag, Stonewall Kitchen Strawberry Apple Rhubarb Jam, Anthropologie Fizzy Floribunda Blouse, Crate and Barrel Red Taper Candles, Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook, White House Black Market  Jet Flower Button Earrings, Sur la Table Jeweled Holiday Votive Holder, Anthropologie Fruit Compote Skirt, Anthropologie Twined Rockrose Necklace, Hershey’s Cherry Cordial Creme Kiss and New and Blue Luscious Wedding Invitation in center.

The snow is falling, the holidays are around the corner, and snuggling with your sweetie with a cup of hot cocoa is a romantic and lovely way to spend an evening.  Well, the cozy feeling that winter brings can easily transpire into your wedding theme.  Have a winter wonderland event with subtle snowflake decor such as monochromatic white table settings with just a sparkle of snowflake confetti or by including a winter motif in your invitations, wedding cake, and other decorations.  Not only will the wintry silver and white wonderfully capture such a romantic season, it will also be unbelievably beautiful and timeless.

From Left: table setting, Michelle Rago; photo, taken from Oregon Bride Magazine; dress, Max and Cleo; save the date magnet, New and Blue; winter wedding cake, Cake Power; snowflake confetti, New and Blue; snowflake wedding invitation, Checkerboard. 

We often recommend to couples that setting up a wedding website is a great way to keep their family and friends updated on all of their wedding details.  Often times you don’t have all your plans finalized when you send out your save-the-date so it’s easy to just put in your website address so guests know to check back as the date nears for all the latest and greatest.   It is also a wonderful way to display photos, share how you met each other and let your guests, get to know each of you better. 

There certainly are lots of sites to choose from and most have packages or offer options you can upgrade to like your own personal domain or keepsake CD of your site.  The Knot and Wedding Channel let you set up one for free if you join their site and then you can pay to upgrade.  The benefits of joining these sites is that you have lots of wedding planning information at your fingertips so they are certainly worth checking out.  Wedsite is 100% flash based, highly customizable and has a special going on right now.  If you want to do a little competitive shopping then try WeddingWebsites.com.  They provide you with information on a number of wedding websites so that you can compare pricing, packages and services, and also read customer reviews.  New to the scene is Shutterfly.  Known for online photo sharing and storage, they are now offering their customers the opportunity to create their own website, whether for your wedding or other occasion.  Of course if you are not a member, you can sign up for free.

A wedding website could make the perfect engagement or early wedding gift should you be in need of an idea!

We think bridal belts are a great accessory!  If your bridal gown is already highly decorated with numerous bows, intricate beading, or other adornment maybe the bridal belt isn’t the best option. However, if your looking for a little something extra to dress up a simple A-Line or modest gown, this fun accessory is just perfect.  Veer toward the adventurous? Choose a colorful design adorned with rosettes and feathers like the one from Twig and Honey (far left).  If you are looking for something a bit more personalized, New Full Bloom Bridal (middle) will make a customized creation in your wedding colors. Prefer a more traditional or subtle look? Like the dresses she makes, bridal belts and sashes by Monique Lhuillier are absolutely gorgeuos.  Aside from the extra pop belts can add to your wedding day fashion, we love that you can wear them again and glam up a cocktail dress or the standard jeans and tee for an added touch!

From left: Twigs and Honey, New Full Bloom Bridal, Monique Lhullier

Brides Against Breast Cancer - Nationwide Tour of Gowns - is in Beaverton this week!  “This unique opportunity allows brides-to-be a chance to find the gown of their dreams at a remarkable price, while helping to make wishes and memory-making events come true.”  Browse through hundreds of exquisite name brand and designer wedding gowns from $99 to $799 that have been donated by manufacturers, retailers, designers and individuals.  More than half of the gowns presented are new designer gowns!

The General Sale, with free admission, starts today and runs through Sunday at Canyon Place Mall, 4005 SW 117th Avenue, in Beaverton.  Hours are 10am to 8pm Wednesday - Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.  If you are not in the Portland area then checkout their website for a listing of cities on the nationwide tour. 

To donate your dress click here or to volunteer at an event near you click here to learn more.