Woman's Home Companion -1956 -Advance Patterns to Make Your Sewing Easier

Each of these stunners takes less than four main pattern pieces (some may have interfacings, ect.) No reason to delay...get sewing!

Woman's Home Companion -1956 -If You're Stout

It's a sweet dress, but I don't think there's much slimming about those lace saddlebags on her hips!

Prisca and Johnson Wedding

Beautiful bride Prisca and her handsome groom Johnson on their wedding day

With their happy smiles they celebrated their wedding in a stylish way

Bride wore a fit and flare dress from Wedding Bells looking absolute stunning!!

Her dress was very modern and classy with very very nice beading

The groom smart and handsome indeed!!

All together Elegant Stylish and Chic

Heartiest congratulation from Wedding Bells

We love you!!

Woman's Home Companion -1956 - And there's no hidden trick!

"If you look closely, your own good style should tell you that one wears a style featuring the new 'long torso look'." If you can figure this out you might have what it takes to be a Fashion Counsler and earn up to $100.00 in a month!

Amy and Scott Tie the Knot at their Wakefield Plantation Wedding!

Amy and Scott and I met on January 9th to plan their wedding ceremony set for March 26, 2011 at Wakefield Plantation Country Club. They wanted a small wedding with family and close friends and not a lot of fanfare. They chose to have no attendants and therefore we did not have a rehearsal. We got to work on their ceremony right away. Part of the ceremony was their story which I began to piece together from their answers to questions I asked. They sent me some very good material so I was able to write their story that included a lot of humor.  During the ceremony creation process they happily discovered that they were expecting a baby in September so we added a blessing for the unborn baby to the wedding ceremony. 

When we arrived, the cake by Cake Dreams by Sally was already there. Such a pretty cake following their color scheme of pink and green.

 

After a week of unseasonably warm weather in Raleigh, March 26 turned cold with drizzling rain but it was cozy and warm inside the Wakefield Plantation Clubhouse. Jacklyn, the venue's event coordinator was on hand to answer questions, coordinate vendors, and help sneak the bride up to the door from where she and her father, Wayne, would enter. Thanks, Jacklyn!

The tables were all set with the pretty linens, flowers , and special favors from the couple.

Amy and Scott got cookies that she grew up savoring.

 

Amy's mother, Gail, was there and ready to celebrate. We can see where Amy gets her beauty!

Ed Stephenson and Craig Hanemann were our musicians from Arioso Strings. I do a lot of weddings with these two guys and it was good to see them after the winter hiatus. This wedding is our first together for 2011. They were in fine form too.

 

This is a beautiful ice sculpture. I don't know who to credit for this lovely work of art. 

When all the guests were seated, we began the processional with the grandparents. Then his very elegant mother and father processed in (above). You can see where Scott gets his good looks!

Scott and I came in and took our places in front of the fireplace. Thankfully someone had discovered he had forgotten to eat something before the wedding and gave him a plate of hors d'oeuvres which he gobbled up. I found out years ago that the combination of hunger and nervousness can lead to falling out and we don't want that at a wedding!

Here comes our beautiful bride. She was a bit nervous too and told me she was worried about crying during the ceremony. Crying is perfectly fine. In fact, I would be a bit concerned if no emotion was showing on your wedding day. That's why I carry a hankie for the bride and groom, just in case. Both of them needed it today!

We included a Parents' Blessing which is a thank you and tribute to the couple's parents. Here they are standing to receive the tribute.

And, we included the baby! I ask the couple to put their hands on the baby while I read the blessing.

Next up was a reading of "The Art of Marriage," a popular reading for a wedding by Wilfred Arlan Peterson that they asked Amy's friend, Wendy, to present.

Then Elli, Scott's sister, read to us the beautiful "A Blessing for a Marriage" by Unity Minister, Reverend James Dillet Freeman.

It was time now for the couple's story. I took that opportunity to step out from behind them and away from the warmth of the fire behind me to speak to our guests who thoroughly enjoyed the story of how Amy and Scott first met on Match.com then Facebook becoming on-line buddies for almost a year before they met each other in person. And when they did, the rest, as they say, is history.

 

The grand finale was the kiss and they did as I suggested--make it long enough for your photographer to get a good shot! April Sirit of Evoke Photography and her assistant Rebecca were our photographers.

Amy and Scott, I am so happy you found each other, and found me! I know you have a very bright future together and please keep me posted next September when your baby boy is born!

Woman's Home Companion -1956 - Spring in New York - Coats and Hats!

"Coats for rain or shine...hats bloom with flowers"

April showers do bring spring flowers but they can also spoil many an Easter parade or party. We know that we cannot do anything about the weather but fortunately something can be done about spring coats. Nowadays they can do double duty as raincoats, day and evening, in such a way that you can be protected as well as pretty. Even such fragile fabrics as linen, brocade and white satin can go out in the rain. And they relegate the Burberry to its proper place-to men.

The five day coats [shown above] in charcoal corduroy, in blue and white checked linen, in yellow burlap, all by Lawrence of London. Black whipcord coat (in center) from Main Street; pink in a finely woven cotton called Element cloth by Bonnie Cashin for Harris. Men's traditional Burberrys from Brooks Brothers.

The five coats shown above are for 5 p.m. and after. Lawrence of London again made three; the butterfly print on shantung, the gold brocade and the white satin. The violet printed taffeta is by Helen Van Vliet for Town Creations; the cape-collared black coat by Bonnie Cashin for Harris.


When the sun does shine in April, it's sunny enough to call for one of the new big, flowery hats. The English garden printed taffeta hat is by Adolfo for Emme; the out-size straw with poppies atid field flowers and the chrysanthemum-petaled toque from John- Frederics; the coral-pink hat trimmed with matching roses is by Lilly Dache, the lavender-blue flowered Manet-type hat is by Sally Victor. Dresses by Karen Stark for Harvey Berin.

Woman's Home Companion -1956- Attack of the 50 ft. Woman!

I'm not really sure what the message here is...why is the giant scary woman standing there looking at the trio of Stepford wives who are swinging on a tray? I am confused.

Woman's Home Companion -1956-Mom and Daughter Matching Dresses

This is a good example of a fashion trend that's gone by the wayside, the Mom and Me matching outfits. These "party-pretty" dresses are made of Dri-Smooth, a "living cotton" by Cranston and illustrated by Lucia.

Woman's Home Companion - 1956 Suits for an Easter Parade

"It's news to wear shades of one color" These are clearly not the wasp-waist look we think of with the fifties...but here in 1956, we can see the sixties coming around the corner.

All pale beige, contrast of textures-a color scheme right for most women. This version is a leather skirt, a leather and tweed jacket-- you can clean the leather with warm water, soap and a damp cloth. Bonnie Cashin for Milton Sills. Strap pump from Deb, bag from Coronet.

Mixture of neutrals-a color scheme that's every woman's fashion. The gray-beige silk suit with high-bloused back, by Montesano & Pruzan, is accented by warm brown-beige in a hat by Amy, a strap pump from Marshall, Meadows & Stewart.

Yellow-most popular high-key color, here used in varying degrees of intensity. Suit in white and yellow tweed mixture from Jablow. Lizard bag from Lucille de Paris, Monet jewelry, tie pump from Bally, bulky hat by Adolfo for Emme..

All-red for the adventurous-dramatic color co-ordination for the woman who can carry it. The coat has a skirt to match; Bardley. Matching shoe from Valentines, is cork-textured leather --smartest material of the year for red shoes. Harmonizing tones in Walter Florell's hat, the alligator bag.

Blues are becoming, turquoise is lovely with gray hair. Shantung suit with polka-dot scarf by Adele Simpson; a straw hat by Sally Victor: linen pumps from Bonwit Teller dyed a deeper shade of turquoise than the suit- a new style note.

Great Wedding at Caffe Luna for Kelly and Chris!

Kelly and Chris were set up by friends and Chris' younger sister who thought they should meet. It took a while for them to find the right date and time to meet but finally they did. And, they really clicked with each other. Chris proposed three months later and they set a wedding date of March 19, 2011 and began planning the wedding, an experience that was exciting but also quite stressful. Nothing new about that stress factor! At any rate, they did well and created a lovely wedding at Caffe Luna, a really fun place to have the ceremony and celebrate with their families and friends!

When all the guests had arrived, we began with the seating of the mother of the groom, Debbie, by Chris' stepfather, Bill, also groomsman.

Sandy, mother of the bride, was escorted in by her son-in-law, Billy.

The processional got a bit out of order as the ring bearer, Hunner, and the flower girl, Becca, came down the aisle next, but really, what does it matter!

Our pretty bridesmaids were wearing Horizon Blue, a very electric and happy color!

 Kelly and her father, Rich, make their grand entrance. Kelly was beaming.

The sun was streaming in the windows of Caffe Luna that Saturday morning and we were bathed in golden light, how heavenly!

Chris' Aunt Kelly read "The Art of Marriage" by Wilfred Arlan Peterson and we all turned toward her to listen.

Kelly was one of the most calm and collected brides I have ever experienced. She was just taking in the moment as I told their love story. Chris was pretty happy and calm too.

 

 

Hey! It is all over and time for pictures and the reception to celebrate this rite of passage for Kelly and Chris.

During the ceremony, a little tear--just one--rolled down Kelly's cheek during the ceremony leaving a little tear track in her make-up. She just needed a little touch up blending before the photos.

Chris is so glad the ceremony is behind them and is looking forward to their honeymoon! No more stressing! Hooray! This is not the first time I have heard these sentiments from the groom.

Their lovely blue and white cake was baked by Simply Cakes. The florist was The Flower Shop of Wendell, and the photographer was Kelly Martin Photography. She had Brittany Jones and Sabrina Short with her as second and third shooters so the wedding was thoroughly covered. Both Kelly  and Caffe Luna referred the couple to me. Thanks, Kelly and Caffe Luna! I have done many weddings with Kelly and many at Caffe Luna too.

 I just love these bridesmaids dresses. The color is so striking and such a festive color. A great choice. Kelly is making one of her funny faces here. She probably developed that talent for her Pre-K and kindergarten students!

Chris and Kelly, you know I want all the best for you both and wish you all the joy and love in the world!