kick-ass vendors

Amazing Deals on Beautiful Designer Wedding Dresses in Sacramento, CA

February 28, 2016

Did you know that there’s an alternative to David’s Bridal in Sacramento?

Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! I found the most perfect place to shop for wedding dresses in my original hometown of Austin, TX: Second Summer Bride, owned by Blush Bridal Lounge, and they opened a location in The Sac! Second Summer Bride Sacramento offers once-wed and sample designer gowns for incredible prices. Do yourself a favor and check this place out before you go to David’s Bridal!!! Especially because you’re a modern bride doing things differently, like buying a dress with lots of beads. And sleeves. And that’s not brand-new and then maybe selling it back to the store afterward.

Second Summer Bride blew me away. I’ve always been intrigued by reused wedding dresses, but I had no idea what to expect. It felt like a beautiful, upscale bridal lounge with dresses ranging from $200 to several thousand. I was astounded by how many dresses they had! They clearly were hand-picked and it seems that the overall style trend is ahead of the game – lots of lace, beading, sashes, cap sleeves, the works. Many of them have beautiful sleeves and GORGEOUS backs. Some have this 1920s feel (Jenny Packham) and others are romantic and perfect for a hippie or down-to-earth bride.

Selection and prices

I’m always amazed by the selection they carry. And Second Summer Sac is HUGE! There are so many different styles and plenty of dresses to choose from, and they even have a “shorties” rack with cocktail-length dresses! Prices range from $200 (YUP, you read that right) to thousands. If you’re looking for something simple that’s less than your wedding cake, this is your place. Or, if looking for an ultra high-end wedding dress, you can also get it here! It’ll just be a whole lot more affordable than its retail price. And maybe, you might even find one of those stellar dresses that’s on sale. Some of these dresses were worn by real brides once, and some of them are discontinued samples from designers like Amsale, Enzoani, Pronovias, Ines di Santo, Matthew Christopher, Badgley Mischka, Allure Bridal, Maggie Sottero, David Tutera, Mikaella Bridal, Vera Wang, and Enaura Bridal, so they have never been worn.

Accessories

Second Summer Bride also sells tons of gorgeous, brand-new hair accessories, jewelry, veils, jackets, shoes, clutches, and sashes at discounted prices, so that’s pretty nifty.

The experience

The difference between choosing your wedding dress at a small boutique like this and a big-box chain like David’s Bridal is staggering. On a Saturday at David’s, you’ll find 6-8 brides with their entire families in tow trying on dresses at the same time. It’s kind of like a zoo.

At Second Summer, there are 2 brides maximum trying on dresses at the same time, and they each have a personal stylist. The staff at Second Summer Bride will sit you down on this beautiful couch when you arrive for your appointment and they’ll start to ask you some very simple questions, but in the background, the wheels in their heads are already turning and they’re thinking of what dresses to recommend to match your needs and personality. They’ll even take into account what kind of setting you’ll be in on your wedding day. The decor is lovely, the ambiance is relaxing and quiet, and the staff members are highly knowledgeable and there to answer all of your questions. It’s exactly what finding your wedding dress should be like!

Once you’ve picked out 4-6 dresses with a staff member’s help, you’ll go to a private room with a curtain to try them on with a full-length mirror. If you find a dress or two that you adore, you can stand in the main room on a short pedestal to see how the fabric falls.

The Manager, Karla

This is Karla, the manager, and she is also a stylist! Um, she’s amazing. Down-to-earth, spunky, incredibly good at what she does, kind, nonjudgmental, and just a bunch of fun. I mean, obviously. She’ll put you at ease the second you walk in and you’ll wonder why you were ever nervous about this whole process.

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Karla showing off Bling Wipes. Wipes for your rings and other blings!

Alterations

At a big chain, they’ll probably schedule 2 fittings and charge you for each separately. At a bridal lounge with an independent seamstress, you’ll schedule 3-4 fittings, the last of which happens a few days before the wedding. The way it’s priced is different too. You might be charged by the alteration, so if you happen to lose or gain weight, you have to pay, or you might be charged by the type of alteration as a whole and it works out to be more like a flat fee. Don’t forget to budget $300-$600 in alterations for your wedding dress, since most of them won’t fit your body perfectly the first time around.

Want to sell your wedding dress?

As long as you bought a new designer dress and it’s not more than 5 years old, you can consign it at Second Summer Bride and recoup some of your wedding costs! Some brides want to have their dress for all time. Others are ready to let their dress go and would enjoy knowing that another bride will be married in it. You can expect to receive 50% of the selling price at Second Summer.

Where to start shopping

I don’t think most of my brides know that there are alternatives to David’s Bridal, so they just go with what they know. David’s Bridal may turn out to have your dream dress and be the perfect place for you! But it can’t hurt to check out a boutique and see what the experience is like before resorting to a chain. Here are some great reasons to consider an independent bridal salon:

Having more choices doesn’t always lead to a more satisfying decision. In fact, it’s usually the opposite.
Peace, quiet, and a pleasant ambiance affects your dress-buying experience more than you may realize!
Having an expert consultant assist you can make the process much less painful, confusing, and time-consuming. Store staff that are knowledgeable really CAN help you out, and the cream of the crop work at independent bridal salons.
Their knowledgeable (and awesome) consultants can show you stunning options you would never have picked for yourself. You might be surprised!

Second Summer Bride Sac = ixi approved!

Finding the ixi tribe in Sacramento!

January 30, 2016

Well I just had the best day shooting the shit with a warm, genuine, down-to-earth and brilliant wedding planner (yes, they do exist!), Christina of Obsessed Events in “Sac”. I’d say she’s the wedding planner for people that don’t want a Wedding Planner, if ya know what I mean.

I ALSO got to get to know the spunky and fantastic Karla and Angel from Second Summer Bride Sacramento, the sister store to my faaaav bridal consignment shop in Austin, Second Summer Bride. Karla and I did a quick photo shoot with Dum Dums and some other weird stuff I found on her desk. It’s pretty great 🙂 I think I match their wallpaper pretty well.

Bloggings and pictures and more dripping praise to come!

Torrid Boudoir: Sexy, Gorgeous Lady Photos with a Woman Just Like YOU

April 22, 2015

Have you always wanted to have boudoir photos done but you’re scared shitless? Probably, because even I’m in the same boat. It sounds sooo confronting. Even the most in-shape women have body image issues. We all do! Plus I think we’ve been conditioned to think that celebrating our sexiness is a no-no, like it’s somehow bragging and it means we’re vain and superficial. I haven’t taken the plunge myself, but I bet you it’s a very empowering experience. I’ve been asked over the years if I do boudoir sessions, and I’ve never had anyone to enthusiastically send my clients to. But now I do!!! Her name is Elizabeth and she owns Torrid Boudoir. Here she is!

She is perfect for ixi clients and, well, everyone, and I LOVE her style. It’s classic and bright and vibrant. She also is able to edit in such a way that it’s all very natural and celebrates your real beauty. If you know me, you know I’m not a fan of fake-looking photography!

I sat down with Elizabeth, picked her brain, and I learned all sorts of goodies. Here are some common reasons that women tend to get all glammed up in front of the camera.

We’re waiting until we’re more fit

This reason is an excuse for not doing family photos, too. We’re working hard to be in better shape so we assume that in the future, we’ll look better. Only problem is, we keep waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And then it never happens! Isn’t it better to have our sexiness in the now captured than not at all? Not to mention doing a boudoir session could actually shift how you see yourself in the here and now. Plus, this line of thinking makes us feel like we’re not hot enough for boudoir right now. Bullshit. You’re gorgeous; we all are, just as we are.

We’re afraid the photographer will judge us

We know how harshly women judge other women and how easy it is for us to compare ourselves against other women. The great thing about Elizabeth is that she has a way of creating a really nonjudgmental space for her clients. She is a curvy lady herself, so not only does she know how to pose you to look your best, but she’s a real person. She’s relatable and fun and not a Barbie doll that you’re measuring yourself against (and why would you really want to, anyway? Barbies, ew.)

We’re just plain afraid

We’re afraid we won’t know what to do, won’t know what to wear, won’t look good, won’t feel comfortable. I think deep down we’re afraid it will be this awful, scary experience that scars us for life. Except from the feedback that Elizabeth’s gotten from her clients, that’s just not so. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Check out the testimonial written by each client at the end of their blog post describing their experience.

Reasons to hire Torrid Boudoir

Elizabeth ROCKS. She is so cool and genuine and fun. Aside from being an awesome, real woman just like you, she has green in her hair and 16 tattoos. I love her self expression!
The Torrid Boudoir experience is totally full-service, so you get your own wardrobe stylist in addition to hair and makeup. I really think this sets her apart, because most boudoir studios don’t include wardrobe. This is obviously a really crucial part of the outcome and yet we’re expected to suddenly become fashion experts? Hell no.
You will feel transformed. Her before and afters are amazing!
She is not intimidating! And if you’re curvy, never fear – Elizabeth specializes in your luscious curves.
As any good boudoir photographer will do, Elizabeth will 100% respect your privacy. Your images can be completely secret and will only be shared with your express permission!
You don’t have to get naked (or even close to it) to be sexy. It’s all about your comfort level and Elizabeth can make any level of clothedness work!

Reasons to do a boudoir shoot

To feel empowered.
To rediscover yourself and how beautiful and sexy you are, RIGHT NOW
To push yourself past your comfort zone and grow as a person!
To prove to yourself you can do scary things.
To give yourself a beautiful gift that you will cherish forever.
To give your partner a beautiful gift for their birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or even as a wedding gift!
To play dress-up like you know you really want to! 🙂
Ok, I’m sure there are others – leave a comment if you can think of others!

Other cool stuff Torrid Boudoir does

Boudie parties!!!
Couples’ sessions that capture your intimacy and sensuality.

Ok, so if you’ve been putting it off (like I have) forever…what do you think? Are you going to pull the trigger, and stop letting those pesky fears drive your car and take the wheel? Leave a comment!

Wardrobe Consultants – They’re Not Just for Fashiony People (Audrey Styles Austin)

February 17, 2015

So if you’re anything like me, you probably have never had the greatest handle on fashion-related anything. And you’re cool with that. Except when your grandma gives you a ton of her blouses and you’re thinking, “can I make any of these work for me?” Or most of your clothes never get worn. Or you realize you need help looking like YOU, but also looking professional. Or you just find yourself really overwhelmed when you absolutely must get a new sweater.

I just described me

(hi!)

and even though I have always had a style of my own, there are things image/wardrobe consultants have taught me that I straight up didn’t know.

Things Audrey taught me

Layering. It’s a thing, and it’s pretty great.
How to make a piece of clothing that’s 100% not your color (BLUE) but has an awesome shape actually wearable.
How to turn your grandmother’s blouses into gorgeous bohemian things you wear all the time.
You’re wearing the wrong size of everything, almost guaranteed! And when you wear the right size, it’s magic.
That you can buy a dress you’ve been lusting after, but were convinced you can’t wear a bra with, but you need to wear a bra with it…and she’ll give you the perfect solution without even thinking about it.
Having an expert go shopping with you is like a dream. Especially if you’re not wild about clothes shopping or you easily get overwhelmed!
She’ll make a list of particular items you need that will create 3x the number of outfits you have currently. All at once.
She can shop FOR you. She’ll go to your favorite stores and if she sees something she thinks you’d love or that’s on your list, she’ll send you a picture and with your approval, buy it on your behalf.
She can put things you already own together in a way you never would have thought of. And it’s awesome!
How to make certain tops work with your bras, or suggest a type of bra you need and where to find it. For the ladies.
She knows all sorts of tips and tricks and stores and deals. So helpful!

Audrey Styles Austin is a genius at this stuff. Here she is. Adorable!

She raided my closet (well, not really. But that sounds so passionate) and helped me get rid of things I rarely wear and showed me how to accessorize things I want to wear more of (probably because they’re blue but still good).

She validated things I have always felt about my true style, which was important for me. She made a list of all the items I needed (like a cream-colored camisole, which would go underneath 17 of my tops, a stretchy belt for certain tops and dresses, a color of pants that will go with everything I own, a type of shoe that will go with everyone I own, etc.. You get the picture*.).

Image/Wardrobe consultants will suggest things outside of your comfort zone, like wearing a white dress I consider super fancy to a first date, or wearing boots, or trying on skinny jeans. And sometimes it’s good to cross the proverbial line you’ve drawn in the sand. And other times you’re like, “no, I hate skinny jeans on me.” They will respect your wishes. Audrey does! But she has opened my eyes about quite a few things and I am grateful for that push.

Here’s an example of how awesome she is:

I’m pretty sure most people could really use an hour with Audrey. You’ve got nothing to lose except clothes you don’t like.

Why you might need Audrey

Ok, I just said most everyone does. But here’s what you will probably experience. You’ll realize how emotionally attached you are to certain clothing items. You’ll learn how to stand up for yourself AND also go out of your comfort zone. You’ll have to confront beliefs you’ve formed about clothes and your style and examine why you believe them in the first place. For example, somewhere along the way, I decided that I boots are fancy, and I can’t wear boots because I’m not fancy. And when I look fancy, I look like an uptight bitch. Interesting. Why do I think that? What would happen if I wore boots? Won’t I still be me? Things to ponder. It will also give you a new perspective on self expression and self care. For those of us (me again!) that have viewed our clothing as a means to express ourselves, but also as something a bit vain and shallow to be so focused on, it’s pretty eye-opening when you see how loving your outward appearance and its importance to you is the opposite of shallow. It’s really about loving what’s inside you.

That was deep. Other less deep things you might experience would be the glorious pairing of items you haven’t been able to wear for one reason or another, and the cathartic letting go of things you no longer need. Ok I’m getting deep again. I can’t help it! In a nutshell, it’s worth a shot.*

Contact Audrey

*Photographer puns!

Michelle’s Patisserie turns 12!

December 5, 2014

Happy 12th birthday to Michelle’s Patisserie, one of my favorite places for wedding cakes in Austin. I got to sample flavors such as pumpkin (my favorite), tres leches, chai, honey lavender, and Reese’s! It was lovely to see the strong community surrounding Michelle’s Patisserie too. Congrats, everyone!