The Creative Cookie

Eco-Chic in Mexico

Earlier this week we returned from our honeymoon/1st year of marriage trip to the eco-chic beaches of Tulum, Mexico. Tulum is located along the east cost of the Yucatan Peninsula and is one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayans. We had a carefree time in our oceanside cabana (w/o electricity), biking, visiting the ruins, and eating queso tamales:). Of course kamau took hundreds of photos and I'll post an album soon. For now here's me cartwheeling along the sand just footsteps away from our room!

Wedding Buzz

Our wedding story was featured on a couple of websites this week. Please view them and leave us a comment (or two)!

Black Bridal Bliss' Tie the Knot Tuesdays

Black and Married with Kids, Wedded Bliss

"w" wedding, pt. 4

This is the end of the wedding chapter and the start of a new chapter as Lesley Ware -- The Creative Cookie. I'm pleased to present the photo album that tells the story of our special Brooklyn DIY wedding! I totally tangled myself in creative projects from making bow ties for the groomsmen to crafting a tent from tulle...I could say more but I'll let the photos speak for me♥♥.

*NOTE: if you are new to issuu there are three ways you can view:

1) click the arrow to the right to view on this site

2) click anywhere on the image above to enlarge 

3) go directly to the issuu site click here

"w" wedding, pt. 3

It's been over a week since since my last post. I'm still in slow mode. My time has been spent creating harmony and gradually adjusting to (and organizing) my lovely new life. Rather than rushing, I'm taking some time to just enjoy.

More photos? Yes, right; soon!! Thanks for your patience. The ball is in motion and I'm going to be relentless until I finish designing the album with my hubby:). For now, here's a photo of me, the brooklyn bride, in front of the Bed & Breakfast shortly after the ceremony -- my mom is on the stairs. It was a gorgeous day!

What I wore >> gown: Epperson Rod shoes: Gee WaWa headpiece: Vintage / Rescued Treasures tights: We Love Colors hair: Faith / hello beautiful bouquet: Starbright Floral Design

photo: KzA © 2011

"w" wedding, pt. 2

I've been slow to post photos from our wedding because we're waiting for a final batch from one of the photographers. I'll be sure to share, once they arrive;). 

photo: Rhiannon Marino

"w" wedding, pt. 1

The minimoon is over and I'll begin the process of culling through images to shape a series this evening. Be sure to check back over the weekend for fancy posts featuring DIY goodness (photos, favors, keepsakes, food) and a few wild wedding stories;).

In the meantime, I'm sharing a screen shot from le coil my favorite hair blog. I met Jamala, le coil's founder, last year during New York Fashion Week at the Leifsdottir presentation where we quickly became friends. It was a pleasure having her at our celebration of love! Luckily she captured some of the natural beauty of the day.

1st row: 2nd image Bilen Gaga (guest), 3rd image Vana Mills (fashion designer & bridesmaid), and 4th image ME, Lesley Ware (bride)

Thanks for sending me your good vibes, sunshine, prayers, notes, and gifts. The day magically snapped into place. Huge hugs and stars to the creative community around me -- you helped me get down the aisle!

More soon!

Not Just A Dress

Our wedding is 2 days away & I'm up to my ears in crafty projects that need completion. I'm also trying to have a little fun. On Tuesday afternoon a few friends & I went to a taping of The Nate Berkus show were we sat front row at their 1st ever Pink Show!  It was awesome for reasons besides the opulent rosy decor. I squeezed with glee when Nate introduced noted fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi as his guest!!! Isaac gave tips on how to wear one of his favorite colors (you guessed it) and we got to see a few of his pieces in a mini fashion show. Actress Molly Ringwald was a guest of Nate's too! The audience got a copy of Getting the Pretty Back, Molly's national bestseller, and a Pretty in Pink dvd. It was absolutely perfect!

That evening a larger group of my girlfriends threw me a super swanky surprise bachelorette bash at lovely Ethiopian restaurant in Harlem! I must admit I was:

1. totally shocked
2. super happy
3. very difficult to lure

...but it all added up to fun times! 

At the Nate Show with Kimberlee, Miss Al Boggie, and a producer:)

So, more wedding stuff....here's the sketch of the Maid of Honor Dress that Epperson is designing for my cousin, Charmel!

Charmel's dress is not "just a maid of honor dress" I was careful to select something that she'd likely wear again. But we all have bridesmaids dresses that have been abandoned to die in our closets. Here's a Mad Lib with some suggestions for revival.

More wedding goodness to come, if I can find the time to blog. Please send my your positive vibes, good wishes, and sunshine. I'm going to need them to pull my DIY wedding off with out a hitch! xo

Flower Girl

During New York Fashion Week, I dropped into Starbright Floral Design to live blog and was inspired by what I saw. Each bouquet had a personality of its own -- from the pansies to the orchids they were all charming and sweet. Here are some of my photos: 

I find flowered prints to be wonderful...especially in knits & silks. I made a visit to MOOD fabrics and decided on this super comfy rose and daisy printed cotton flanel. I like how the fabric mimics some of the colors and spirit of the flowers that inspired me at Starbright. 

Using this retro pattern from Simplicity, I'm sewing a spring jumper. View #2 is my favorite -- now that's what I call a 'petal pusher'!     

Check back next week to see my progress with sewing. I'll also post my tips on wearing flowered pieces & prints this spring. PLUS a bit about our wedding flowers for April 30th, too!

Gorgeous!

The countdown to the wedding is on -- less than two weeks away. Today I tried on the bodice of my dress and I must say its gorgeous! Epperson, my fiance, and I tucked into an itsy bitsy corner at the Starbucks, on 42nd & 6th Ave, near Bryant Park. As Epperson quickly tied the top over my bulky winter dress an audience of people waiting in line for coffee peered.  Here's the latest sketch! 

kamau & I are designing & assembling our invitations, programs and favors. I'm even sewing bow ties. These are some of the patterns, books and templates guiding us: 

I must say a DIY wedding planned in 30 days is the craziest thing that either of us has ever done but somehow we're staying laidback & relaxed;). Posting more photos soon.

Swatching

I'm assuming that most of my readers know but, I'M GETTING MARRIED ON APRIL 30th! Our wedding is being planned in 30 days (today is day 11) and there's so much to do. Lucky for me my other half is super helpful. We're both working hard to pull it all together:)

I'm totally psyched about my dress -- Epperson from Project Runway season 6 is designing it and it's going to be unique & equally lovely. This photo was taken while Epperson and I were shopping for fabrics during our 2nd dress consultation last Wednesday.

Stay tuned for more wedding bananasness & business *throws rice*!

See more Epperson on The Creative Cookie blog here & here...