 KATY HOWIESONWelcome to the little corner of my mind where I will share my inspiration, moodboards and snippets of my work in progress as well as features, photoshoots and various vintage finds that light my life...
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Monday, May 14th 2012 
Bit of a change around this week, instead of a Star Style i asked Helen to pick a few of her favourite frocks from last weeks Met Ball in New York – just as she did for the Oscars. I haven’t had chance to comb through all the gorgeous images just yet but from what i have seen – plus Helen’s results it seems Gold was a popular choice?
Helen has picked out a bevy of beautiful gowns (and actresses!) that look absolutely stunning. With regards to my headwear i don’t work with that much gold, mainly lighter colours and silver. But after these fabulous ensembles i might have to think twice about adding Gold into my collections – What do you think?
Here is a few more of Helen’s favourites in multicoloured shades. My personal fave has to be Dianna Agron, i have yet to find her looking anything but stunning and stylish!
Designers: Leighton Meester – Marchesa, Cameron Diaz – Stella McCartney, Michelle Dockery – Ralph Lauren Collection, Nina Dobrev – Donna Karan Atelier, Jessica Alba – Michael Kors, Dianna Agron – Carolina Herrera, Rooney Mara – Givency, Lea Michele – Diane von Furstenberg, Kristen Wiig – Stella McCartney
Thanks Helen!
Star Style will be back next week featuring the lovely Holly Willoughby – Keep your requests coming in 
Friday, May 11th 2012 
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
A little bit of Friday inspiration for Brides looking for the wow factor with their Wedding Make-Up. Bold Lipsticks! After years of only ever wearing vaseline or the tiniest amount of lipgloss I have been converted into a red lipstick lover. Since researching make up styles for our Retro Vintage Shoot next week, i have been hugely inspired into looking further a field – i may even be brave enough to experiment with pinks after falling in love with an image from the work of lovely Jo Leversuch (image 3).
We are extremely lucky to have Make Up By Jo working with us for our shoot – i cannot wait to see what she comes up with! I am particularly fond of Jo’s Hollywood Glamour and Vintage make up styles, but a quick browse of her site show she is no one trick pony. Well worth a look for future Brides wanting a stress free Wedding Morning!
Anyone have a favourite Lip shade?
Thursday, May 10th 2012 
Another request from fab dress designer Alexandra King of MakeMeADress this week – Marion Cotillard. Sexy, French with a hint of Gothic and Retro style Marion looks amazing 24/7! I fell in love with Marion after seeing her fab vintage styling in NINE, and i’m super impressed at the gorgeous images Helen has fished out for me to share…
As if Marion’s sailor stripes and classic Navy blazer aren’t enough, Helen has chosen some fabulously flirty dresses teamed with retro round sunglasses and contrasted them with Marion’s shimmering Red Carpet ‘look’ that has gorgeously gothic hints of black lace. I came across some amazing designers whilst collating these boards, hope you enjoy!
1. Thyme FLORIDITA Dress 2. Striped Bow Top 3. Lizzie Spot Dress 4. Striped Key Hole Sunglasses 5. Teal Dress 6. Textured Jacket
1. Black lace Maxi Dress 2. Floral Lace Shift Dress 3. Lace Gothic Maxi 4. One Shoulder Drape Dress 5. Metallic Jersey Jumpsuit 6.Gable Courts
Requests for your favourite Celebs are always welcome!
Thanks Helen!
Friday, May 4th 2012 
Deepest apologies for falling off the grid this week. It seems to have flown by after all the excitement from The Wedding Institute. I have been catching up with orders, meeting lovely brides and also planning another shoot coming up in a couple of weeks!
The above is a quick moodboard of the inspiration behind the shoot which i am organising to feature the fabulous work of Thimble & Bobbin. Do go and check out her Facebook page and ‘like’ it is full of pretty and regularly updated with designer-maker Lauren’s work
I have also gathered some other suppliers together to either promote local businesses or handmade lovliness, i’m sure you’ll recognise the regulars from previous shoots once the pictures come around!
Huge thanks for being patient with me & my blog while i work on these projects. I have yet to share this week’s Star Style: Marion Cotillard, more from the Wedding institute and some fabulous moodboards…
(all images above gathered from Pinterest, ASOS, Thimble & Bobbin, MakeMeADress)
Sunday, April 29th 2012 
Thought i’d share a snippet of images from today – more to come later! I had an absolutely FABULOUS time today at the lovely Wedding Institute‘s Wedding Fayre debut at Saltburn Community Hall. The grey and gloomy weather outside could not have prepared you for the fantasticly planned, beautifully decorated event that was packed full to the rafters with amazing suppliers from the Wedding industry and some very enthusiastic brides!
The atmosphere was so relaxed and friendly, it hardly felt like a Wedding Fayre at all. Planners Vicky Trainor and Becky Mitchell created a very pretty and inviting environment that made you have to circle the event more than once – there were more than a few brides who came to visit me more than twice
I met a ton of fabulous bride-to-bes and their friends/mothers/bridesmaids etc full of enthusiam for my work which made me feel rather spectacular. I got the chance to meet some new supplier friends, put faces to the facebook/twitter friends i’ve made this year and catch up with some lovelies i already know
Congrats to Vicky & Becky and everyone who made the day as great as it was! Also thanks to my sister Laura who was a huge help (you might have seen her trying on just about everyone of my headpieces trying to decide which one she wanted to wear today…) Can’t wait for the next one!
p.s. There was delicious cake… an incentive for the Grooms 
Friday, April 27th 2012  1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
A little bit of colour to brighten your day – the weather looks like it can’t make it’s mind up so i’m trying to influence it with these fabulous shades! I’m probably not the only one to have become addicted to Nail Art. Tons of different designs are popping up everywhere and i love just about every one. I decided to share a few of my favourites with you – and seeing as im always too busy to actually get on and paint my nails i’ve brought in a specialist to tell you a bit more about this latest craze…
The lovely Sophie of Nancy Loves Nails recently started up her own business, painting the most beautiful patterns on nails. she has been involved in a few fabulous fashion shoots including this Colour Pop bridal shoot, which was featured on Rock n Roll Bride this week – Captured by WKDN sponsor Becky Mitchell Photography
Sophie Told me…
” I started up my business after a friend suggested for me to do a nail party for her daughter, and it was a success! So I started doing more and more nail parties in 2011 then in the new year it was my resolution to start up my business properly. So I made a facebook page and organized a photoshoot and I got lots of interest!”
“I get lots of my inspiration from the world around me, and from certain objects and vintage findings. I am so inspired by old fashioned vintage prints, and also fashion and what is in vogue in the next season I always try to keep track of to keep me as up to date as possible!
My top selling design is the Cath Kidston inspired floral design, everyone loves it because it is really feminine and delicate. Also makes your nails look gorgeous! And our main theme is vintage patterns and florals, so that boosts its popularity even more.”
Sophie also told me the Summer 2012 trends are set to include nudes, bright coral reds & pastel shades – all sound yummy to me!
Nancy Loves Nails will be exhibiting at The Wedding Institute (like me!) at Saltburn Community Hall this Sunday 12-6pm – Get your Tickets HERE! And you can also catch her at Vintageous Rags’ Charity Fundraiser at the Camel’s Hump, Middlesbrough on May 10th
Wednesday, April 25th 2012 
The Fabulous Alexandra King of Make Me A Dress requested this week’s Star Style – the very bold and beautiful Gwen Stefani. Gwen has gone through just about every fashion style there is, finally carving her own ‘look’ and starting up her clothing label L.A.M.B – brilliantly described as ‘a playful juxtaposition between classic Hollywood movie star glamour and more modern and casual street influences.’
While Gwen’s ‘casual’ look is often far from what we would call casual, Helen has picked out some fabulous images to represent this side of her style. It was a lot of fun to create these boards – i got to step out of the usual prettiness and embrace the bold fashions of Ms Stefani – How amazing are the heels in both the moodboard & the image Helen picked up on!?
Alexandra’s design even got a feature in the ‘Glam’ board
1. Champagne Tulle Gown 2. Rio Rio Lipstick 3. Black ‘Henderson’ Gown 4. Leopard Print Jumpsuit 5. Jaguar Ring 6. Colour Block Heels 7. Glitter Clutch
1. Faux leather Leggings 2. Dusty Blue Leather Jacket 3. Lace Camisole Top 4. Blue Snake Effect Handbag 5. Shieldsy Sunglasses 6. Patti Smith Tank
Requests for your favourite Celebs are always welcome!
Thanks Helen!
Monday, April 23rd 2012 
1. Test Tube Floral Feature 2. Tulle Illusion Wedding Dress 3. Compass Rose Hairpins 4. Corsage Court Shoes 5. Book Pocket Menu 6. Embellished Midi Dress 7. Ticket Stub Save the Date 8. Crop Circles Tie 9. Time Lord Cufflinks 10. Hydrangea Bouquet 11. Butterfly Cake
Evening all! A bit of a late post but i have been rushed off my feet with orders.. and playing about with Instagram. The board was a request from reader Emma Rhodes who had a rather random muddle of inspiration for me to follow:
“Hi Katy, I’m getting married on 9 March next year. We don’t really have a theme but it will be a family wedding and thoughts on colours are dark purples and blues. We want it to be quite a relaxed day, nothing too structured, bringing in elements of some of the things we love – films and books. My fiance is a sci-fi geek and I’d love to include elements of this without making it overpowering. Any thoughts on this random muddle of elements would be much appreciated!”
I have to admit i played about with ideas for a few days, whenever i got a spare minute and it was a hard one to crack – i can see why Emma asked for help! Emma had previously commented that she ‘loves a bit of sparkle’ and vintage glamour, so i picked the fabulous flirty tulle Wedding dress teamed with beautiful sparkling hair pins for a relaxed but beautiful bridal look. To add a splash of colour and fun to the ensemble i chose the beautiful Phase Eight Corsage heels.
The hard part was the elements of Sci Fi. Cufflinks were what first came to mind, and then i found those fabulous crop circle ties from Projector. The ties are hand printed, quirky and affordable and if crop circles aren’t your thing they have plenty of other designs! I also brought in the Sci Fi effect on the Bridesmaids dresses, which may not be classicly bridesmaid but are beautifully embellished in a pattern that reminds me of something you’d see on Transformers. I also thought the test tube floral display (top left) was really cool
Hints of Film & Books were added with ticket stub wedding stationary and an amazing book pocket menu. For a cute touch you could also hollow out a book for the ring bearer to carry the rings in! Other ideas i had were – confetti from old book paper, book paper garlands, film reel center pieces, hire a popcorn stand – the list is endless!
Hope this helps Emma!?
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Please do not use any of the images/words on this blog without permission. Permission may be granted on request. Permissable use of either images, words or both must be linked back to me.
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