Wedding Wednesdays - Table Numbers

By Lauren

Table numbers are a great way to add personal touches to your big day. Though I'm having a very formal black tie event and can't use any of these cute, outside of the box ideas, I still thought I would share these images from Martha Stewart with you in case you're planning a wedding, or even a little dinner party. I mean come on, how original is putting the table number on a wine bottle?! Love that.

What are some of the fun and creative ways you've displayed table numbers??

And the Winner Is...

By Julie

No, don't get too excited... we haven't announced our giveaway winner quite yet, but Gwyney sure takes the prize for best dressed on Oscar night if you ask me! Her cool, minimalist look from Tom Ford was such a sophisticated and fresh red carpet moment. Something we really haven't seen at the Oscars before... I loved it! 

Now, just because we might not have any sleek Oscar-worthy moments to dress for doesn't mean we can't interpret Gwyneth's winning look in our everyday lives, right? From drapey details, to pops of edgy leather and silver, it's easy to bring this look to life (real life, that is)!

Ohh, to be a star. Would you guys wear this look?

Who we're your Oscar favs??

Helmut Lang satin top
$320 - barneys.com

Helmut lang jacket
€627 - youheshe.com

Rag & bone/JEAN skinny fit jeans
$215 - intermixonline.com

ZiGi Black Label platform pumps
$315 - heels.com

Cuff jewelry
$58 - nordstrom.com

Lancome Cosmetics and Skin Care Official Site: Make up, Skincare,...
$25 - lancome-usa.com

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner - Eye pencils & liners - Make up - Beauty -
debenhams.com

Tory Burch Giveaway!

By Julie and Lauren

Spring is just around the corner and in order to prepare in style, we've teamed up with Tory Burch for a little warm weather giveaway for our readers! The perfect complement to the season's neon trend, the winner will win one of Tory Burch's new spring Skinny Woven Turnlock Cuffs in bright turquoise. Adorable, right?!

To enter, it's simple. Become a Google Follower of Born & Bread and leave us a comment letting us know you want to enter with your e-mail address.

Additional entries include:

• 'Like' us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• And last, but not least tweet about the giveaway (please leave another comment for each additional entry)

Both of us have tropical vacations to look forward to in March and we can't wait to style our very own bright Tory Burch bracelets (pics to come). Best of luck!!

XOX

**we'll choose the lucky winner at random next Friday.

Bagels and PHLOX

By Lauren

Remember back in December when Julie and I hosted a trunk show at CO-OP...well we fell in love with one of the brands there, PHLOX! For Valentine's day I was lucky enough to receive a PHLOX bag from my wonderful fiancee!  

I am obsessed with the buttery soft python skin and the amazing matte finish in black. The chain straps are easy on the shoulder and the flap front closes magnetically...perfection!

You have to check this line out and you will soon see what I'm raving about!

Wild for Wes

By Lauren

Julie and I didn't do a big fashion week run-down this year of specific designers, but I couldn't let Wes Gordon's Fall 2012 line go by without huge applause!

Wes Gordon from his Spring 2012 Show

His line keeps evolving and maturing, just like him, and this season was another triumph for the young designer. His pieces were elegant and feminine without being too girlie. Its so refreshing to see a young designer steer clear of the slouchy, boxy, Olsen twin thing that Alexander Wang has popularized for the masses. We love to see a designer today design for real young working women. 

Wes Gordon gets B&B's seal of approval this Fashion Week! And can you just die over the lace sleeves in this purfectly hued trench?!?

Wedding Wednesdays - Major Manicure

By Lauren

If you're anything like me, a manicure means a quick lunch break at the closest spot with massage chairs and ultra-violet drying machines. But for special occasion (aka my wedding!) I felt like I had to step it up.

But a step up didn't mean I had to step very far! Ten Over Ten is my new favorite salon located in the heart of Tribeca. And in exchange for a rushed experience, I now get to relax in a 1500 square foot loft space with custom chairs, cool painted canvas walls, and an Ipad at every station! What can be better than that!

How cool? You guys have to check it out! Now the only question left is should I get a french manicure for the big day or just go with a neutral color?

Any advice??

Day Off

By Lauren

Yesterday was a holiday, the perfect Monday to do all my errands around the city. And though we've had a mild winter, I forced myself to bring out a chunky knit sweater for the day, layered over a lighter silk button down to keep the look a little less heavy.

A knit hat is always good to cover a bad hair day, or to put a casual spin on your outfit. Hat: Michael Kors, Sweater: Zara, Blouse: Equipment, Jeans: Current Elliot, Booties: Stella McCartney

What do you wear on your day off?

Fancy Pants - Mullet Dress

By Lauren

 I love scoping the racks during sale time, because you never know when you're going to need a long dress and I always find good ones lost in the shuffle of Department Store chaos. This weekend I finally got to wear one of my favorite finds from Haute Hippie.

Paired with navy shoes, a snake skin clutch, and a cool cuff I was set for a night on the town. But my favorite accessory was my new Cover Girl lipstick in "Embrace." It is the perfect shade of berry red mixed with a bit of purple, and it literally lasted all night, just like the commercial said!

What's your best black tie outfit?

Back to Basics: Fall 2012 Beauty Trends

By Julie

Besides all the amazing apparel and accessories pieces that walk down the runways, I'm always equally excited to see the new beauty and hair trends for that help define the season ahead. Whether it's a bold lip, shocking eye lids, fluorescent nails or wispy locks, these trends are always a fun (and affordable) way to recreate the looks yourself.

Doo.Ri

Jason Wu

Karen Walker

Narciso Rodriguez

Phillip Lim 3.1

Sophie Theallet

I'm totally feeling those muted lips and no-fuss hair styles. Tres chic.

Also, today I have the honor to be featured as the Friday Focus on the website, Go Try It On. Have you guys checked this site out, yet?? It's an amazing, interactive way to connect with friends and people across the globe to seek honest, fashion advice before you head out the door. Like really, how many times have you uttered the words 'just go try it on' to a friend?! Exactly. Hope you'll check it out!

Enjoy the long weekend!! We'll be back on Tuesday.

XOX

**Images via HarpersBazaar.com

Rachel Zoe Blogger Preview

By Julie and Lauren 

This week we were invited to attend the Rachel Zoe Fall 2012 Blogger Presentation at her Manhattan showrooms. The entire Zoe team was in attendance and totally made us feel right at home-- or at least on an episode of The Rachel Zoe Project. Rodger proudly talked shop to editors and bloggers while Mandana highlighted key pieces and introduced us to their newest collection of costume jewelry inspired by vintage pieces from Rachel's closet. How insane is that tassel necklace?!

The entire fall line is quintessential Zoe with bits and pieces of the rockstar, bohemian influence peppered amongst classic blazers, cropped trousers and tailored herringbone prints. We died over all the textured sweaters and sky-high platforms. Really, they're that good. Spring is not even here, but Zoe's already got us excited for fall.

See anything you'd want??

XOX

Wedding Wednesdays - Choosing the Venue

By Lauren

Choosing a place to have your wedding is pretty much the most important thing to book, and probably the first thing that I did. Whatever you choose, whether it is your backyard, an old library, a favorite restaurant, or a popular hotel, the venue really sets the tone for what your wedding is going to be like.

We wanted a very "New York City" chic wedding with a very urban vibe. It also had to be very wintry feeling, warm, cozy, and full of beautiful details.  So when I walked into Cipriani on 42nd Street and saw the teller walls intact from when it used to be a popular bank's Manhattan branch, I knew this was our place!

Behind the Scenes: PolyvoreLive!

By Julie and Lauren 

Yesterday was truly a rewarding experience for us. We not only met some amazing new friends and inspiring bloggers, but we had the honor of showcasing the looks of incredibly talented designers, Lauren Bagliore and Dana-Maxx. Beau Nelson's beauty team and Sarah Potempa's hair stylists were all unbelievable artists and created such fun and innovative looks for both the ready-to-wear and evening portions of the show. 

Ann from Holier Than Now, Jules from Sincerely, Jules, Rachel from That's Chic

Jules and Kim from Eat.Sleep.Wear

Arielle from SomethingNavy

A big, big thank you to our dear friends over at Polyvore and to our stylists, Anda & Masha, for making it all happen.

If you missed the live-streamed show last night, you can see all the magic here.

XOX