Fall Pre Picks….so sad to see summer going!

While it is really hot here still, the tell-tale signs of fall are beginning to be felt. Kids are buying back to school supplies, college students are shopping for dorm room setups and shops online are starting to  feature a few early fall looks.

I’m still having trouble focusing on fall, but I found a few ideas that look good for transitioning that direction. Hope you enjoy the sound of fall on the way!

MiH Marrakesh Jeans @ ASOS

I love the sixties fit and style of these jeans and the cute retro pocket style. The tobacco color is versatile and different, giving lots of opportunity for coming up with new combinations. I’d love this with creams and pear greens or an oatmeal or black turtleneck.

MiH MarrakeshJ eans @ ASOS with Jacket

MiH Marrakesh Jeans Pocket @ ASOS

On a similar note, I’m loving the color of this trench by Warehouse at ASOS. It is a deeper and warmer color than lots of trenches, making it a great choice for fall. I always find trenches wash me out, even the black ones. I don’t look great in camel, oatmeal or grays, so this one is perfect for anyone needing a trench in a different palette.  I love the simplicity too.  Here, this trench would work in all seasons, since it rains here a lot!

Trench by Warehouse@ ASOS

This jumpsuit is perfect for fall…colorwise and for fall’s changeable, sometimes hot, sometimes chilly weather. I can see it with a jacket or sweater or with tights and boots. I know, it’s chiffon…but a jumpsuit? I kinda like it…and it would double as a pretty dress, yes?

Vila Chiffon Floral Midi Culotte Jumpsuit @ ASOS

Vila Chiffon Floral Midi Culotte Jumpsuit Front @ ASOS

So, I’ve posted warm color things, what about all the people who only wear neutrals or black and white or grey? Well, I’m coming to that. I think the jumpsuit thing is interesting and makes you stand out a bit from the run of the mill and is surprisingly dressy for work. I found this great grey and black version….and I don’t know, it just works!!  I’ll be posting more fall picks as we get further along in real fall…meanwhile it’s perfect beach weather!

See by Chloe Flock Spot Dungarees @ ASOS

See by Chloe Flock Spot Dungarees Back @ ASOS

Summer Picks = Black, White and Colors @ Lana Stepul

 

Lana Stepul Multicolor Dress

 

One of my favorite posts is when I feature a designer and their line. To do this one doesn’t have to go far. I found Lana Stepul’s shop at etsy.com.  There are so many designs to love, including lots of fresh treatments of black and white…classic summer colors.

Lana Stepul Polka Dot Skirt

 

One thing I love about these designs is the use of natural fabrics, cotton, linen, silk and wool. Her dresses and skirts often feature side pockets…an essential for comfort. The silhouettes are fresh and flirty, with designs offering custom fit to your body. I love the lineup at Lana Stepul’s shop and I bet you will too! There are so many perfect designs for romantic occasions and my nemesis, attending a summer wedding.  Have fun shopping at www.LanaSteupul.etsy.com !

Lana Stepul Open Back Lace Dress

 

Holiday Picks – Part 2 Graceful Winter

I love choosing things that work well slipping past holiday events and into winter and spring with all the parties and weddings to attend. I look for dresses and outfits that are versatile, work in multiple seasons and that feel fresh…so they can last a few years perhaps in my closet. I picked a few that look graceful and that flatter your winter plans.

Moved to Tiers Flower Dress from Ruche.com

Gray just happens to be a very flattering and easy to wear color for lots of people. Here is another selection from Ruche.com.

Moonlit Nights Gray Dress @ Ruche.com

A pale gray that verges toward white is also a very flattering shade and one that works better for those that gray tends to wash out a bit. This one is delicately floaty.

Wave You Back To Me @ Ruche.com

For those who have holiday work gatherings to attend where a bit more coverage and warmth is needed, here’s a little sweater frock from Anthropologie.com that may just be perfect. It is a burnt orange, but looked so festive it seemed perfect for now!

Jacinth Sweaterdress @ Anthropologie.com

And a last little bit of glitz with a golden color and a versatile cut, is this ruffled sheath from AnnTaylor.com. It is cotton with a tiny bit of sheen which makes it seasonless and the color will give it a lovely ability to be dressed up with black and bling or dressed down with white and other colors and more casual accessories. Here’s hoping you find that perfect dress for all your holiday-ing!

Ruffle Neck Cotton Sheath Dress by Taylor @ anntaylor.com

Festive Picks for Holiday Events 2010 – Part 1

I love having something shiny and beautiful to wear to holiday events and parties. Feminine dresses make even a holiday office party something to look forward to. I love the way I feel with heels and something silky and soft in the evening. I like tiny satin or silken purses or pretty boots and tights with more casual holiday garb.

 

Tennerie Blush Sheer Gown Credits: Model: Krista Hair & Make-Up: Aveda Photography: balance photography llc

I wanted to post a few pics of gowns and holiday looks, some my own, some from other handmade clothing artisans and a few from favorite shopping destination. I hope I get you pondering your own holiday looks a bit in advance, since you never know what bit of fancifulness you may need to accompany  an unexpected holiday invitation. Have fun dreaming about holiday fetes and shopping !!

 

Azure Wisp Silk Dress Credits: Model: Rhea Necklace: Stout Run Studio (recycled soda can pendant & chain) Hair & Make-Up: Aveda Photography: balance photography llc

 

 

Dusty Blue Silk Dress by larimeloom

 

 

Gunmetal Houndstooth Dress by smarmyclothes.com

Peruvian Holidays by FreePeople.com

Whispers of Shimmer Dress by FreePeople.com

Boysenberry Galette Dress by Modcloth.com

MagnolijaDRESS – Romantic Couture

Next in the series of featured Designers is MagnolijaDRESS at www.magnolijaDRESS.etsy.com. I love the wispy quality of the dresses and their romantic and ethereal quality. Inga, Magnolija’s designer hails from Lithuania and creates gorgeous and beautiful dresses.  I love all her work, including some new blouse and shrug designs. Her shop is ever-changing, with a variety of sized designs and new elements often. Her work is really popular and her designs are snapped up quickly.  Check out our featured designer’s shop and her wonderful creations!

Blue Lagoon

Black Flower Dress

Night in Paris

Blue Sugar Cuff

Nostalgia

Blue Sky

Sweet Ruffles

Silky Rose

Summer Natural Linen Tea Length Dress

Soft natural linen and cotton empire waist a-line dress for a short beach wedding dress or romantic occasion.

Mushrooms and soft clouds were friends of her everyday and she loved little turtles and gentle creatures like otters. She wore a tiny chain around her neck with the smallest baby ring on it. She wasn’t working at being different, only she couldn’t seem to help it. She was so happy that she had found someone who understood – and cherished her!

I found a pretty linen skirt to recycle. I loved the soft sideways pleats and gentle ragged edged ruffles and the softness of natural linen. I added a white cotton/spandex flower print bodice to make it an empire waist and covered it with a top layer of stretch taupe netting. I made swirls of netting along the top necklines and gave it soft 40′s glamour style straps. You can bunch the straps up or wear them wide. I added a tiny distressed chocolate frill.

Summer Natural Linen Dress

Summer - Side

Summer Hem

Summer’s End Dresses

Summer’s ending and all the flowers are enjoying the last of the wonderful sunshine. Here at the shore, summer brings rain and wind too. I’m back posting after a long absence that was a saga involving an unexpected move and other long details. I haven’t created much in my absence other than finally getting my website shopping cart going. Much of my work can now be found at my website store,  where I’ll keep a running commentary on some of my designs and Style Tantrum Design news.

Mia Simple Strapless Handmade Wedding or Formal Gown - Creme Glace

Dresses are like the last of summer’s flowers, in full, happy bloom. I am posting a few pics of recent things I’ve made just so I have pictures on this post, lol.

Azure Wisp Silk Slip Dress

Citrus Lace Empire Waist Formal

A Green Wedding Expo & White Dresses with Some Color

Butterflywing Distressed Wedding Gown

I’ve been busy recently preparing for and participating in the Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase’s Aveda Eco Fashion Show http://www.greenweddingshowcase.com/ecofashionshow.shtml February 21, 2010 in College Park, Maryland. It was a delightful show and featured the beautiful hair and makeup designs of the team from Aveda Institute in Washington, DC. I loved seeing the other designers gowns, as well, and the choices for brides planning an eco-friendly wedding were beautifully showcased by exquisite display booths from eco conscious businesses. The atmosphere was fun and friendly and the show was so exciting. If you missed it, you can see a highlight reel at vimeo.com here. I have not had much time to keep up with blogging lately but wanted to post a few appetizer shots of my designs and the show. I’ll do a more extensive post later with more details. Hope you enjoy.

Creme d'Or Champagne Gown

Credits:

Butterflywing Distressed Wedding Gown – Cynthia Davis, Style Tantrum Designs
Model: Krista
Necklace: Green Diva Bridal (fair trade pearls & recycled silver)
Hair & Make-Up: Aveda
Photography: balance photography llc

Creme d’Or Champagne Gown – Cynthia Davis, Style Tantrum Designs
Model: Tiara
Necklace: Stout Run Studios (vintage and recycled pearls)
Hair & Make-Up: Aveda
Photography: balance photography llc

Creme d’Or Champagne Ballgown Wedding Dress

When you are young and you want to fly but you aren’t sure your wings will hold you. When your love is sweet and breathless and you are not sure where it will take you. When you like holding hands on benches and whispering together and just want to run away from ordinariness. Shimmering sunlight captures you and takes you far away. That is when you feel most real, most free. Dancing together under the starlight feels like forever. Make it last forever. Make it go on and never stop. Recreated from a simple short brocade empire waist gown, the Creme D’or Champagne gown is melded from ecru lace, cafe au lait stretch netting and it’s draped bodice is covered with golden cream and champagne satin and deep ecru embroidered chiffon. It has an optional chiffon tie around the empire waist. Golden satin goes over one arm in a wide strap and one strap is a simple spaghetti strap. There is a long spray of ecru cotton lace. It has a long sweep of netting that puddles on one side and continues around to the back where it joins a champagne satin train. The dress has a vintage feel and has raw cut edges in the bodice and other edges where they will delicately fray. The dress is lined to the knee and zips up the back. This one of a kind gown has a fluttery skirt below the knee and a tiny satin train. My favorite part is the assymetrical bodice.

We photographed the dress on a rainy day near the beach and the weather cooperated only long enough to get a few shots. Our background is a long porch facing the sea on Sullivan’s Island near Charleston, SC.  Although the model was beautiful our shots came out a bit dim.  For the photo shoot I had to pin the back of the gown up near the back neckline because the straps were a bit long on her and I forgot to add the chiffon tie. Never without incident Thank you JuliaAnn! This may be the most romantic of the dresses I’ve made and one of my favorite colors.

With a Swish – larimeloom handmade designs

Sometimes it’s nice to just focus on one shop or artisan to give a mood a chance to develop. I am highlighting larimeloom.etsy.com’s site to focus on her wonderful designs. This shop has a mom-daughter team who create and model the beautiful pieces that are larimeloom.etsy.com’s trademark. The seller is located in Alba, Northern Italy. I love the variety and endless creative spirit that fill these beautiful clothing with life. I know you’ll love popping in to see what is new in this fresh, delightful shop.  This is handmade clothing at it’s best! Here are a few of my current favorites. You’ll find them all at larimeloom.etsy.com.

Quaint and Cool Collections

Makool.etsy.com's Gray Sparrow Dress

I love finding things to love at Etsy.com. I am featuring some dresses today by www.englishdept.etsy.com and www.makool.etsy.com and two by Circa Vintage Brides. What rocks besides the adorable dresses and models is the amazing photography. I aspire to better photo skills. I hope you love these!

Makool.etsy.com's Gray Sparrow Dress

Makool.etsy.com's Late for Tea Dress

englishdept.etsy.com's Platinum Silk Shantung Ruffle Shrug

englishdept.etsy.com's Oysters and Pearls Dress

englishdept.etsy.com's Oysters and Pearls Dress

www.circabrides.com's Marilyn and Ava Dresses

A Simple Wedding Dress – Verity

Verity Simple Wedding Dress - White Chiffon Sash

She loved warm brioche and cinnamon rolls. Her favorite time was morning when the birds were being noisy outside. Her hair turned to ringlets at the back of her neck when it was even a little humid. She wore satin ballet slippers around the house because pale pink made her smile. And when she danced it was like poetry coming alive or like a song or feathers floating down through the air.

I found a stunning simple handkerchief linen shift with subtle tone on tone floral embroidery and tiny flower buds at the front straps. I loved it so much, but it was so tiny. Made in Spain, it was only a size 16 girls!

It had a lining all through it, so I widened the armholes and found a tiny bit more fabric hidden away inside the seams. I added some ecru stretch lace to gently cover the armhole area a bit more. Then I made some poufs of white and pink sheer nylon to give the bodice neckline some sweetness and fun. To finish it all off I added a sweet lace empire waist sash in deep pink.

Verity - With a Pink Lace Sash

But then I couldn’t decide which I liked best,  a sheer embroidered sash in ecru or white, a pink lace sash, or a reconstructed bit of coral silk. I showed it in both the white and pink, but here I’ll show you the coral and maybe tomorrow I’ll get a shot of the ecru sash and post it.

If you get a chance, post and let me know your favorite! I’m torn, so I’m leaving it open to the buyer to decide. I may need to post the other pics there, but I’ve only got 5 pics!!

I love the simplicity and sense of classic style this dress exudes. It is quiet and so perfect. I can’t wait to see what it’s buyer will look like!

Verity All White with White Chiffon Sash

Verity with a Pink Lace Sash from Behind

Verity - With a Silk Coral Pink Sash

Verity Simple Wedding Dress - Loose

Verity - With a Pink Net Sash

Verity

Verity - Pink Net Sash Poufs At the Back

Verity with an Ecru Chiffon Sash

Cordelia Garden Party Sundress

This is a description I wrote for this dress. It funny that the model for the dress turned out to have blond hair, which does not match the description story, but I liked it, so I kept it anyway.

Cordelia liked lemon meringue pies and fried clams in the same dinner with lots of sweet tea and warm biscuits with honey. She loved gardens in summer and had prize roses she loved like children. In her closet she kept an array of beautiful hats she was too shy to wear often, but loved trying on. Her name was like her Grandma’s and she was as beautiful and interesting as she remembered her Grandma having been. Only she was blessed with a headful of bouncy raven curls and soft green eyes. Her Grandma would love how she had turned out !

A White Dress and the why….




I am crazy about dresses. I love to see them and to admire their details. I love great photos of dresses and the women who wear them. I wanted to write about something quintessentially hopeful and a white dress is that.

White dress stands for so many things…romance, love, youth, hope, innocence and is the classic of spring. I know that many cultures don’t view a white dress in the same way, but genetically I’m predispositioned to love them!

I love that a white dress has so many moods and meanings. I would love to post about dresses, not just white dresses, but dresses of all kinds and eras. I’d love to post about feminine and beautiful clothing and maybe even some pants!

I make one of a kind wedding dresses, so I want to post a few pictures of my dresses and some I love to start out. I also love great photos, so I’m posting a couple that are just awesome photos!  Not sure where I got all of these, but I’ll link all I can. Sorry, I’ll improve!

Hope  you enjoy this saga, and all the lovely ladies who grace these dresses!