Behind The Scenes of a Photo Shoot - Trish Lee San Francisco

When wedding dress designer Trish Lee asked me to work with her on the photo shoot for her upcoming website launch I was ecstatic!  Her designs are timeless, elegant and chic.  I naturally called upon makeup and hair artist extraordinaire Melissa Hoffmann to create a simple, stunning and cohesive look for our model.  Trish wanted a soft, dewy look that would really make the gowns shine.  To complete each look I added Margaret Elizabeth's stunning jewels and we were ready to go!  Here are the Behind the Scenes images captures by Jeff Lee.

Here is Trish trying on some of our favorite Margaret Elizabeth pieces!  Aren't they gorgeous?! These earrings are the perfect jewels to pair with any Trish Lee San Francisco gown!

Helping our model down the stairs felt strangely like a real bride going to meet her fiance!  Whether it's a model or a real bride, I still get butterflies when I see the complete look!

Melissa was on hand all day working her magic and touching up our lovely model Caitlin looking like a million bucks!

It clearly takes an army!  Here I am in action with Trish, Ruby and Melissa helping the model into her shoes and making that train look gorgeous!

Then we got ready for two editorial shots that I worked with Trish to style.  I wanted to give her beautiful gowns a fun, flirty feel while still keeping it classic.  We drew influences from vintage icons as well as modern day starlets to keep the looks modern and fresh.  It was a great way to end the day!

What a fantastic day.  I loved working with our amazing team and with such incredible dresses.  Come back on Tuesday to see Bryan Alberstat's impeccable images that this photo shoot produced!  Happy Friday everyone!

xoxo,

Melanie

Happy New Year's Eve!

All Photos by Scott Andrew Studio

Happy New Year's Eve my lovelies!  Yesterday, we had the privilege of being featured  on Style Me Pretty along with the fantastic L'Relyea Events, Scott Andrew Studio, EV Floral Design, Betten Chaston, Fly Away Design and Sweet on Cake. What better way to end the year than a little SMP feature?!  We will be sharing even more eye candy from the shoot in the coming weeks so stay tuned for lots of goodies!  This photo shoot at El Dorado Kitchen really was such an incredible collaboration!  I'm sincerely looking forward to showing you more!  For now, you can be inspired to put together a unique NYE look here and here.   

This has been quite an amazing year and I can not wait to see what's in store in 2013!  Cheers!

xoxo,

Melanie

Emerald City

Green Sparkly Dress, Black Earrings, Clutch, Cocktail Ring, Heels

Have you heard?  Emerald Green is Pantone's color of the year.  And what a magical color it is!  It's perfect for a winter wedding!  I've been dreaming about a winter wedding ALMOST as much as a white christmas.  Head on over to The Collection Event Studio for my take on an emerald green winter wedding.  

Between Pantone announcing their color of the year, holiday parties galore and winter weddings in full swing I knew what today's post should be about.  Check out this versatile look for any and all of the above events.  This amazing green sparkly stunner works for all sorts of parties this time of year.  Which is rare considering how unique it is!  By pairing it with black and gold accessories (including TWO Margaret Elizabeth jewels) we are toning it down while still keeping it winter appropriate.  This dress even works with a growing baby bump.  =)

xoxo

Melanie

Style Post : Equestrian Chic

All images from this  post by Melanie Kluger

When the lovely Kara and I decided to collaborate on a style post I got instantly excited.  This bride-to-be has effortless style and collaborating with her is always a blast.  The inspiration started from Kara's exquisite Kate Spade purse (no longer available... that lucky duck!) that we both have been drooling over.  Kara said "Wouldn't this make for an amazing equestrian style post?!"  And so this blog post was born!  In addition to working together on the looks we took on other roles as well.  I was the photographer for the day and Kara was our stunning model.  So much fun!

Kara and I are both inspired by clean, classic style with a modern twist.  We decided to pair her dark brown boots with a fitted navy blazer (here is a similar one minus the amazing suede elbow patches), skinny jeans (always the best for going into boots), a light blue, printed button down and lots of fantastic jewelry.  Since she is a Stella and Dot stylist, Kara has a plethora of incredible jewelry to layer with.  I've been coveting this Luxor Link Bracelet for approximately forever!

 When I hear the word equestrian, I immediately remember my vintage silk scarf that I found at a thrift shop several years ago.  It is in amazing condition, is a super vibrant red and black and the print is fantastic.  I always think of it fondly because 1) it was a steal! and 2) it was on a amazing trip to upstate New York with my hubby.  I love pieces that have a history.  Here it is in all it's glory.  

Being inspired by the colors of the fall leaves we decided to throw on an orange blazer and green pashmina scarf for a bit more harmonious look.  This jacket is certainly a statement color and the contrast piping makes for a preppy and fun look.  

I still can't get over how gorgeous Kara looks in all these pics!  Her wedding photos are going to be ridiculously beautiful.  Can't wait to see her walk down the aisle and to see how the talented Melinda Bunker's captures it!

 xoxo,

Melanie

Kara and Matt's Fall Engagement Session by Melinda Bunker Photography

 Kara and Matt are one of those couples that make you smile.  Not only are they warm and friendly but they are excellent at playing with my boston terrier pup Lola!  Kara has fantastic style (as can be seen on her blog here) and always manages to wear clothes effortlessly.  She's a lovely friend (as well as model!) and I always enjoy collaborating and working with her.  Who wouldn't?  She not only has great fashion style but interior design is her specialty and boy can she style a bar or coffee table.  My house is living proof!

I loved working with Kara to make sure her and Matt felt amazing and comfortable for their engagement session with Melinda Bunker.  They wanted to feel casual and have a similar feel to each other without being "matchy matchy".  The goal was easy, breezy, effortless and gorgeous!  Melinda's work captures these two love birds perfectly.  Remember this mood board I made a few weeks ago?  Well, here is the reality!  

Here is even more eye candy for you!  And after that, check out Melinda's blog for more!  We really have to wait until May to see more of Melinda's wedding pics of this adorable couple?!  I know, tough life!

xoxo,

Melanie