Red Shoes (or How to Make Wedding Style Your Style)

(Admittedly, BabySis is getting a lot of press lately. Can I help it if she has style?)

A bunch of you went through dress selection and M crises for measurements on the 'Maids dress for BabySis' wedding. Wanted to share a little...

I find that one of the toughest thing for brides I know is how to personalize not just their wedding, but their look. Whether it's the color of the dress, an heirloom piece, or carrying grandmom's prayer book, everyone's trying to find a way to say, "Hey! I'm all dressed up in this big dress, but I'm still me!"

So what did BabySis do? She wore Red Shoes.

It was perfect. Beautiful Red Shoes on her tootsies. A Statement, capital "S."

Oh, and here's a final look at the 'Maids and our dress choices. And no, I wasn't purposefully hiding The Bean with two bouquets. The Bean got billing in the program for heaven's sake.

Thanks to one of the coolest photographers ever. Kim and I got to ride in the '37 Plymouth with suicide doors with her (BabySis had arranged for 7 antique and classic cars to transport from church to party; our uncle is a Car Guy). Not only did she not blink an eye when the yours truly surreptitiously changed the bride's plans to make a pit stop for black & white milkshakes at the Thunderbird, she thought it was one of the coolest photo ops she's done in her 15+ years of shooting weddings - photos by Jen Capone

Stylish Sips: Customized Cocktail for the Bride

We all know the polite how-do-you-dos, group pictures of the bridesmaids, quiche, and heartfelt, tearful thank yous from the bride. That's a bridal shower. A few of us avoid them whenever we can. Especially the Opening of the Presents.

I and five other Lovlies (with a little help from mom - thanks mom!) and a lot of help from Chef Lisa, our "family caterer*," threw a heck of a Bridal Event for my Baby Sis. Family, friends, and family friends were there, all to celebrate and toast her.

And what did we toast her with, you ask?

Well, fortunately, I happen to know this wonderful resource. Her name is The Liquid Muse. Or at least her nom de (plume?) is. Natalie Bovis-Nelson, known to the world as a lovely liquids writer via her columns and her blog. What she doesn't tell folks online, though, is that she also is a Cocktail Consultant. Give The Muse your likes and dislikes, the mood you want to set, and oila! a Custom Cocktail, just for you. For example, I gave The Muse Baby Sis' details:

she's 26, nearly 27
we're from southeast PA, near philly/wilmington, DE - kennett square, PA, is the mushroom capital of the world (i kid you not)
she went to va tech
lived in philly after school
is in marketing for a tool company
lives in chicago now
loves cosmos, loves anything bubbly
wedding colors - pink & cream. but her shoes are bright pink/red (which i wholeheartedly support)

And out came the Sparkling Sis. A brilliant concoction with blood orange bitters, grapfruit juice, and bubbly. It's refreshing, light, but full - lots and lots of flavor.

And even better, it's easily translated into an alcohol-free cocktail, 'specially for me (ok, so it wasn't just for me, but I felt like it was). The Muse built a cocktail that was smartly substitutable, and I could wander around the shower, drink in hand, and not feel that I was missing out on anything that I normally would've loved (I'm a sucker for anything blood-orange). Because I loved the booze-free version. So did my aunts and grandmother, and all of the other non-boozing guests. Literally everyone from grandma to sorority sister happily guzzled the Sparkling Sis.

So thanks, Muse, for helping Baby Sis' 'Maids give her a lovely, lovely party. Cheers!

*Not nearly as chi-chi as we sound, but it does come in handy to have a chef in the family. Chef Lisa is my step-dad's ex-wife's now-husband's daughter. See? Family connection. She also happens to make a quiche that isn't for ladies who lunch - her lorraine is to die for. And perfect with the Sparkling Sis.