Happy Independence Day!

I hope everyone has a fantastic 4th!

Try these delicious treats while cooling off at your parties today!

Clean strawberries and cut a circle through the center, cut the bottom off so it is even to stand up.

I used light whipped cream and it is easiest to put in a piping bag and fill into the strawberries.

Clean the blueberries and place on top of the whipped cream.

Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Have a great day!

Hoot Hoot

My Recent Owl Obsession

Recently I have become obsessed with Owls.

Here are some of my favorites.

Wide Eyed Mr Owl Pocket Watch

Mini Owl Pottery 

3D Wise Owl carved ring

Owl Ornaments

Hoot Hoot Clock

Wall Decals

My fave!

You can find more of my Owl Obsession items on my Wanelo Profile at Owl Obsession.

P.S. Sorry it has been so long friends! Keep your eyes peeled for more updates soon to come!

Diary of a Designer- Emmy's Edition

This was a crazy crazy week.

Crazy successful, crazy busy, and above all crazy AMAZING.

I should start with the fact that the Atlanta Apparel Market couldn't have gone better for Sydney's Closet!

I can't tell you all of the details, but I can share that what we did last year in Wholesale sales by piece, was doubled in a matter of 5 days.

The Exclusive Plus Sizes provided by Sydney's Closet and myself as the designer were received so extremely well that this company has essentially changed OVERNIGHT!!!

Anyway, enough bragging! :)

With the little amount of time that I did have at the market I spent looking at all of the trends for 2011 Prom.

There are about 5 major trends that I noticed are either new and going to be huge this year, or have been a success in the past and are here to stay for another year!

One Shoulder Evening Gowns

Sydney's Closet 2011 Signature Collection

The #1 Selling Evening Gown from Atlanta

2010 Emmy Awards

Nina Dobrev

2010 Emmy Awards

Wanda Sykes

As you have seen in these photos, the prom look is more of a print or solid in fabrics such as satin, chiffon, or taffeta.

The Emmy's had more metallic/shimmering fabrics.

The one shoulder has been very popular for the past two years, and most likely will be around for the next few.

Hi-Low Skirts

Naya Rivera 

January Jones

These stars are far from Plus Size and have the legs to pull off the Hi-Low skirts.

I have been trying for years to do a Hi-Low, but there are just certain things that plus size girls will not wear! 

3-D

Sydney's Closet 2010 Couture

Hedi Klum in a Super Mini but with the all over 3D effect

The 3D look is very big this year. They were all over the Market especially for the small sizes.

Mermaid/Fit and Flare

Sydney's Closet 2010 Mermaid

2010 Emmy's 

Lea Michelle

The mermaid is another look that is hard to fit on the plus sized girls, but when done correctly it looks great!!

Flowing Chiffon

2011 Sydney's Closet Collection

Jenna Fischer 2010 Emmy's

The flowing chiffon has always been a staple in any size range. The outcome is always flattering and fabulous.

Since Atlanta was such a success, we are on to Dallas next week.

I will report back then with the results!

xoxo

Diary of a Designer Preview

As I prepare to leave for Atlanta for The National Prom Market, I find it hard to believe the last time I posted was in March!!

I thought it might be a good idea to revive this so called blog of mine and do a feature of my life for the next week.

The past year I have been working on the 2011 Sydney's Closet Signature Collection. With many bumps along the way, I feel I have come up with a very solid 50 piece collection of amazing, beautiful, and well structured Plus Size Prom Dresses.

Along with designing the dresses, there has been significant success with Plus Size Actresses and models with the Sydney's Closet line. 

Gaburey Sidibe was seen on 2 occasions wearing Sydney's Closet. 

At the BET Movie Awards

At the Premiere of "The Big C"

Phyllis Smith once again came back to Sydney's Closet to look for several dresses, one for the Emmy's (The Office is nominated once again this year) and a couple for premieres of her two major movies coming out in 2011.

Visiting with Phyllis, my co-worker Patty and I

We have also been contacted by the producer of MTV Made to feature the Sydney's Closet Prom dress line in a couple episodes.

Cheyenne wanted to be made into a Hip Hop Dancer and the premiere of her dance was shown at her Prom, where she was wearing the one and only Sydney's Closet Enchanted Evening Dress! If you missed it, keep an eye out on the MTV website to view the full episode.

Tyler wanted to be made "thinner". Here at Sydney's Closet we focus on showcasing your best body and Tyler was the perfect candidate. Unfortunately, her episode is still filming and we can not post anything revealing her experience at the shop, but I will say it was a great time!!!

Now, I think we are up to date.

This week will be a lot of work, stress, and dedication to my job, but it will in turn be (fingers crossed) very successful! It will also be a determining factor on how successful the 2011 Collection will be. Stores, boutiques, buyers, and other designers will be there to be the first ever to see the line!

In preparation, I of course had to go shopping. Some things I already had, but in order to really make an impression with the line and personal presentation, I needed some new things.

Last night I finished packing. Here is a sneak peek:

Well that is all for now, still busy packing and finishing the final touches before my flight in the morning.

xoxo

Sunshine Daydream

The weather in Missouri lately has been fantastic!

So, in the spirit of Spring, I am posting a few things that have made me smile lately.

I have never heard of Amos Lee before, but this song was just the right type of mellow vs. wit that I needed this morning.

Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight -...

There is a small local airport by my house and yesterday as I was driving home I couldn't help but pull over and take a picture of this beautiful sight.

Since I am wearing my flippy floppies today I just had to get a pedicure!

(Notice the signature red polish OPI Friar, Friar, Pants on Fire!)

This magnificent T-Shirt is courtesy of Max Wanger. I found his fabulous photographs, shirts, and postcards to be whimsical and simply amazing!

I wore this shirt yesterday and forgot to take a picture, but wanted to showcase the fact that such care and appreciation was put into the packaging of this simple little tee.

(as seen here)

In an effort to get everyone a little more involved on Red Lipstick I ask this: 

What is making you smile today?? 

Design State of Mind

Today I am hard at work trying to finish the designs for the Sydney's Closet 2011 Signature Collection. 

I have decided that in order to get this accomplished without any interruption, I have stopped answering the phone, closed the door to my office and am jamming out currently to The Kooks.

To get my body in the right state of being I rely on Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea. 

Today it is Black Cherry Berry, it tastes oddly like cherry kool-aid, just simply more amazing.

Note: The cutest coffee cup sweater I have ever seen. 

(A great gift for my co-workers, and of course I got one for myself!!!)

Here is a Sneak Peek at one of the sassy cocktail dresses I am working on currently!

Your feed back is much appreciated!!

 Design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxe, the practical withe the desirable. 

-Donna Karan 

I DO!

Recently I have felt that a lot of people around me are getting married, are going to a wedding, or are in one. 

In the spirit of love, tradition, and marriage I give you

Brooch Bouquets.

This amazing florist has come up with an ingenious idea.

I wish I had come up with it!!!

Not only would it become a tradition for your future, but it includes elements of the past.

Using your mother's, grandmother's, sister's, (pretty much anyone who would contribute to your bouquet) brooches seems to be the perfect time honored piece that you could pass down to your daughter or granddaughter.

Here are some of my favorites.

Also, this is her newest idea: Love letter bouquets!

Love Love Love

Almost makes me want to forget about texting, chatting, and email and start getting love letters... Almost

Check out Fantasy Floral Designs Blog