The Tradition of a Trousseau

The tradition of a trousseau is age-old, when a woman began sewing clothesat an early age in anticipation of her marriage. 
The word ‘trousseau’ comes from the French word ‘trousse’ meaning ‘littlebundle’. 

While the concept of a trousseau is no longer practical, the idea ofshopping for your wedding night and honeymoon is still enduring and relevant.The implication is timeless! New clothes for a new life!

Depending on where your honeymoon is, you might be packing bikinis for thebeach or evening dresses for a European escape. Combine fabrics – cashmere,cotton, silk and lace – to create versatility.

Neutral-toned
Pashmina Shawl

For any trousseau and anydestination, a few pieces are essential; a lightweight cotton robe, a cashmeretwin set, a little black dress with high-heels and a neutral-toned pashminashawl and black leggings for comfort ease and practicality.


A trousseau encompasses the going away outfit, honeymoon attire and thosespecial pieces of lingerie you may have purchased for your wedding. 


Although it’s unseen by most, your lingerie is actually a very significantpart of your trousseau, and should be carefully chosen.

Lingere Shower Invitation
www.polkadotdesign.com

You may like to hold a “Lingerie Party” or “Lingerie Shower” with yourfriends in the lead up to your wedding. Many Lingerie companies will come toyou with a full range and create an evening of entertainment for you and yourfriends. This can be a fun way to browse lingerie and ensure correct sizing. Inmost cases the Lingerie company will give the host free goods in return forholding the party!

Have your lingerie fitted
by an expert

Working with experienced Lingerie fitters (plus your friend’s input) canensure that you find the right lingerie for you. Lingerie can flatter yourfigure or give you a cleavage that suits your wedding gown, smooth yourstomach, back or hips.



It is important to take into account if the lingerie can be seen throughyour wedding gown as some fabrics can be clingy so something plain but made ofsilky fabric is a good choice. You should take colour into consideration aswell. Neutral colours like apricot or flesh coloured lingerie are lessobtrusive under a white wedding gown.

Choose the right bra for your gown!

Depending on the bodice of your wedding gown your choice of bra will beimportant as you do not want to be adjusting straps all day. Strapped or straplessit is a good idea to wear the bra for a day prior to your wedding to make sureyou are comfortable. Taking it to all your fittings can also ensure you have theright lingerie for the day. Most Lingerie fitters are experienced with advisingyou on the right style for your dress.
 

Another part of your trousseau is the Going Away Outfit. Choose an outfitthat looks glamorous and can be worn again, plus matches jewellery andaccessories that you may already have. You won’t be able to wear your weddingdress again but your Going Away Outfit can be a reminder of the special day formonths or years to come. 

Pre Fall 2012 Collection
www.oscardelarenta.com

Purchasing your Going Away Outfit is a great opportunity to buy something from a designer range such as Oscar De La Renta. Check out all the great outfits from him in his Pre Fall 2012 Collection below:

Artistic Flair

Watching a friend getting married is always a very exciting and emotional time. If you're after a gift that is different to any other, something completely unique and personal and something the'll cherish forever it's worth considering an illustration. Specialising in personalized illustrations, Shereen Kahn, will take a photograph and turn it into a piece of art that will be treasured forever. Having studied fashion and currently working in the film industry in the costume department, Shereen draws using pencil, Gauche watercolour, black ink, pastel and charcoal on surfaces of canvas paper, watercolour paper, fabrics or anything that takes your fancy. All Shereen will need from you is a few relevant photographs of the subject, what medium you want the illustration done in, and whether you'd like a side, back or front view. The cost of the illustration can be anywhere from $150 to $350 depending on dress, size and style of drawing so if you'd like to find out more please visit Shereen Khan's Facebook page by clicking HERE.







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Last Chance to Win!

If you're keen to get your hands on a set of six hand-blown Dibbern Amber glass tumblers, valued at $135, you still have a chance, thanks to Beclau Homewares. Simply register to receive their newsletter by the 31st May and go into the draw to win! The winner will be announced on the Beclau Homewares facebook and twitter pages so keep your eyes peeled. Good luck! Visit www.beclauhomewares.com.au to register.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Take Me Away

If you're lucky enough to be heading off on your honeymoon (or just a well deserved holiday) luggage tags with all your details are a must. I came across these gorgeous personalised tags on Etsy at the shop HarLex. Handcrafted from cow hide and hand-stitched they would make perfect gifts. Vist Etsy at www.etsy.com or to head straight to HarLex's store clink HERE.


Double sided, hand-stitched personalised luggage tag in nude leather $34.90USD


Set of two personalisd luggage tags in tan leather $52USD


Handmade personalised ring bearer made of leather and both dried and faux flowers in nude leather $63USD

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Bride Barbie

Ok... I. AM. VERY. EXCITED! I grew up with four sisters and we LOVED Barbie. We would spend hours upon hours playing with them, dressing them up, brushing their hair, changing their accessories. It was really a bottomless pit of fun. Still to this day I love Barbie as the thought of her always conjurs up very fond memories of growing up. So, the reason for this post... in conjunction with Barbie Vera Wang, the queen of the wedding gown, has released The Traditionalist Vera Wang Bride Barbie Doll collectors edition. The Dovina gown, as worn by Barbie, features a draped neckline with a shoulder ribbon bow and watercolour gathered skirt with tulle overlay. This is the third and final Barbie Collector doll for Wang so it's sure to be a keen item for collectors. It's available for $159.95USD + P&H. Visit www.barbiecollector.com for details.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Beclau Homewares Competition*

If you're keen to win a set six fabulous hand-blown Dibbern Amber glass tumblers valued at $135, thanks to our friends at Beclau Homewares, simply register to receive their newsletter by the 31st May and go into the draw to win! The winner will be announced on the Beclau Homewares facebook and twitter pages so keep your eyes peeled. Good luck! Visit www.beclauhomewares.com.au to register.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

A, B, C...

A friend of mine pointed out these super cute scrabble pillows and immediately wanted to share. Aren't they the best?! Available from Etsy store Shopdirtsa they are a steal at USD$10 incl. inserts.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

The Gift Table

A big welcome to the new gift registry service on the block, The Gift Table. With an extensive list of brands on offer from Wedgewood, Alessi, Delonghi, Orson & Blake and many many more you will be spoilt for choice when choosing the bits and pieces to include on your registry list. Beside a gift registry service The Gift Table also offer a giving tree service and donation service, making it easier for friends and family to donate to a charity of your choice should that be your wish on your special day. For more infomation on The Gift Table visit www.thegifttable.com.au.


Harlequin polka dot teapot by Wedgewood $129


Espresso fully automatic coffe machine by Delonghi $999


Antwerp dining table by Orson & Blake $1,449.80

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Well Noted

If you're after a cute-as-pie place to keep all your notes in the lead up to a big event or special occasion then I'd get your hands on one of Cristina Re's gorgeous new journals. Available in 6 designs featuring luxurious finishes such as metalic foiling, flocking and embossing, as well as lined pages, they'd make the perfect gift or special keepsake. The journals are available in A5 hard cover with grosgrain ribbon and mini soft cover with elastic. Visit www.cristinare.com to view and shop online.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Treasure Chest

With Christmas and gift giving fast approaching it's wise to start giving helpful hints to those special people in your life. Afterall, we would all love something we have our little hearts set on. Right? This Smythson Magenta leather jewellery box would make a truly gorgeous gift. I couldn't think of a better or more pretty place to keep all my special bits and pieces. It features a removable drawer, multiple compartments and can be locked, meaning everything will be kept in safe and neat order. It's also available in cream leather, is priced at £490 and is available online at www.smythson.com or www.net-a-porter.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

The Glossy Life

With Christmas fast looming (5 weeks and 2 days to be exact!) it's time to start thinking of neat little gifts for your closest girlfriends. If, like me, they like to read, like to splurge (on important things of course) and need a few survival tips on setting realistic financial goals, overcoming emotional spending, shopping addiction (I tell myself there are worse things you can be addicted to!) and how to save, then Marianne Vicelich's The Glossy Life is just what they need. Chapters such as 'Make your wish and make it come true', 'From Prada to nada: How to cope with poverty', 'Small things make you happy' and 'You Inc' aim to point you in the right direction for achieving your financial dreams. All seems pretty easy to me! The book is available at select bookstores nationally and retails for $34.95. Visit www.booktopia.com.au to purchase online!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Tea Party

Every now and then I am lucky enough to receive a lovely little something that brightens my day. I've been so busy overseeing the printing of our Spring Issue and working on photo shoots for our Summer Issue, it was lovely to come back to my desk and find a pretty pink package waiting for me. Inside was a beautiful teacup and saucer, a selection of boutique teas and a lovely note from Jessica at Cristina Re introducing the High Tea Collection.



Of course I already know all about this great new range as we are featuring Cristina in our upcoming gift registry story. Keep your eyes peeled, our Spring Issue hits the shelves very soon so you too can read all about Cristina and her positively-pretty products. I'll post a preview of the cover next week – I guarantee it will get you in a sunshine state of mind!

Posted by Jane Cameron

A Road Less Travelled

I can't imagine there would be many soul's out there who wouldn't love to have a Kate Spade laid table. Expanding her New York home collection, Kate has created 3 pretty new collections of bone china, crystal and silver giftware which include Gardner Street (dinnerware, crystal & giftware), Larabbe Road Platinum and Baby Makes Three. Drawing inspiration from the lifestyle of the 1960's it perfectly matches gorgeous embellishments with delicately inlade designs. Visit www.waterfordwedgwood.com.au for all collection details and to find your nearest stockist. We agree this would make the perfect addition to a wedding registry so be sure to ask your registry supplier if it's available.


Larabee Road platinum dinnerward collection 5-piece place setting $349


Gardner Stree platinum dinnerware collection 5-piece place setting $349


Gardner Street large crystal bowl $299


Gardner Street silver giftware collection starting from $99

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Necklace Heaven

It's true, I am in love, in love with Elva Fields. I've blogged before and no doubt I'll blog again. Her pieces... well, I'm lost for words. If jewellery is your thing then one of her beautiful pieces would make a simply perfect accent to your look. I can imagine choosing the gown to go with the necklace rather than choosing the necklace to go with the gown. Each handmade piece features vintage elements wich makes them eco-friendly and super unique. They're truly pieces of art. Many of the pieces are one off and over 40 new pieces have been popped on her website for summer as of today so if you don't want to miss out get in quick. Once they're gone they're gone. Visit shop.elvafields.com for range details.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Prettiest Pink

I was lucky enough to receive a package brimming full of pink treats today - there was a pink fortune cookie, pink streamers, a pink lollypop, a balloon and many other goodies. All this pink goodness was a gift from Polka Dot Bride who launched their lovely new website today. Apart from a fresh new look, there is now lots more to enjoy including categories for grooms, honeymoons and weddings – it's well worth a revisit, just allow lots of time to really enjoy it.



Posted by Jane Cameron

A Neat Idea

I think this Ring Bearer Bowl and Bouquet Text Tile would make such a cute additon to a wedding ceremony. If a cushion isn't quite your thing then a little bowl, with this sweet inscription is simply gorgeous. A personalised bouquet tile is the perfect match! This October, Paloma's Nest is offering a pink cord ribbon as a US$5 upgrade option to any Ring Bearer Bowl or Bouquet Text Tile. The entire US$5 will go directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, benefiting breast cancer awareness. This option will be available in October at www.palomasnest.com.


Ring bearer bowl


Bouquet text tile

Posted by Emilie Harrison