Sweet Saturday: June 15, 2013

Today is Sweet Saturday at Bon Lemon.  Allison B. won the Amy necklace in last week's Sweet Saturday.  Congrats Allison!

Today, I am headed to Montana to witness a good friend from law school get married.  Many of you are celebrating your anniversaries or getting ready for your own wedding.  It seemed only fitting this Sweet Saturday be wedding themed.

Today we are asking:  What sparkle would you wear on your wedding day?

These fabulous Caliope Earrings by Extasia feature handmade intaglios and could be your something blue...

The Trifecta Bracelet features 18k vermeil with citrine, amethyst, moonstone, onyx, and aventurine.  Precious indeed!

A cream, swarovski One.Striped.Heart Zinnia Hair Flower could add some whimsy to your big day.

Say yes to the Oui Ring.  Oui!  Oui!

Or maybe you would like the lilac Waterfall Strand Necklace by Konplott in the palest lavendar.  It would look fabulous with a wedding dress.

Whether you are planning your wedding, dreaming of one that is yet to come, or reliving yours from years ago, tell us which sparkle you would wear.  Go to our Facebook page, like your look, and win.  We will draw a winner next Saturday, June 22.  

Sweet Saturday.  Sweet!

Flying Solo

Hmm...  Where to start?  I have been reflecting on being alone.  I have done a lot of things on my own.  I travelled through Europe for seven weeks by myself.  (The picture above was a self-portrait taken in Kotor, Montenegro.)  I have eaten at restaurants by myself.  I recently attended a concert by myself.  And I have attended numerous weddings by myself.  Numerous.  Ones where I haven't known anyone.  Ones where I have.  Even one on my birthday.  (Don't get me wrong, occasionally, I have had a date.  I am not that pathetic. :)  Sometimes this is by choice and other times it is out of necessity.  Sometimes it is fun, sometimes it is lonely, and oftentimes it is both.  I am currently flying solo at a wedding 30 miles south of Tok, Alaska.  Read:  In the boonies.  Really in the boonies.  We are in the middle of the Yukon. 

I took this picture on my evening walk.  Consider it my own Walden Pond.  So... I was thinking about what it means to fly solo at weddings and in general.  Oftentimes, I have traveled to weddings alone, because I didn't have anyone I wanted to invite.  Currently, I have a lovely boyfriend who just happens to be unavailable for most of wedding season, because he is farming.  I have someone I love in my life, but much of our time is spent apart.  I think alone with nobody is different than alone with somebody.  I have not yet decided which is more challenging in social settings and at weddings.

Tomorrow, I will attend the wedding I travelled to the middle of nowhere for, because I want to support my dear friend.  I will watch her get married, in her hometown, to the man she loves.  I will insert myself into other's people conversations.  I will make "friends," drink wine, and be mildly uncomfortable, because I don't have a partner to make small talk with.  People won't know it, because I am outgoing and "social."  Whatever that means.  It is funny how people assume you are comfortable, because you are good at asking questions and making up crap to talk about.  I am not comfortable attending events alone.  I feel like I am imposing on everyone around me.  But I do it, because staying home would be dull.  I will take uncomfortable over dull anyday.

I guess there must be safety in numbers.  It is amazing how comforting just sitting next to someone can be.  At dinner tonight, the other guests at the lodge were surprised to hear I am travelling alone.  The way people interact with a female travelling alone is much different than a couple.  This is magnified at weddings, because many people feel sorry for you for some reason.  Travelling alone builds character.  I like my character, but sometimes I would like the opportunity to NOT have to make conversation with people I don't know, purely because I am the girl who is alone.  Sometimes, I would like to fill a 14 hour travel day with interesting conversations and shared meals, rather than isolated reflection and Lara bars.  Sometimes, I don't want to be strong and independent and alone.  Sometimes, being alone kind of sucks.

But, the grass is always greener, right?  Had I traveled all of this way with my spouse or loved one, I could have bickered with them the whole trip.  I could long for quiet reflection.  If I had someone by my side, I may have missed an opportunity to interact with someone amazing, because I wouldn't have "needed" to make conversation with anyone new.  If I had been married for 10 years and had three kids in tow, I would be begging for a solo trip.  The lesson is clear.

Lucky me.  Being alone in the Alaskan wilderness is something people dream of.  It is beautiful and serene.  It is the perfect place for quiet reflection.  (I had some great business ideas today.)  I get to witness a wonderful woman tie the knot.   I am going to work on enjoying my solitude and setting aside what I perceive as reactions of pity or imposition when those around me discover I'm alone.  I am gong to remember that for half of the year, my lover is quite available and we get to spend lots of time together.  And then I am going to sing in the shower, stop whenever I want, talk or not talk.  Just because I can.  Because I am all alone  Woo hoo!  

Wheat in Vogue

Ferragamo 2011

I am currently Bon Lemoning from 6 Par Farmer's wheat farm in central Montana.  It is amazing how much you can get done when the phone isn't ringing and the likelihood of someone dropping by is close to nil.  (The mailbox is 1.5 miles down the road, so we have even ruled out an unexpected visit from the mailman.) 

Grain elevators themselves are quite majestic.

But around here, you must take an occasional break to enjoy the beauty of the sky and the maturing crop.  The wheat is just starting to rise from the soil and it inspired today's post.  Did you know, wheat is not just nourishing, but wheat is totally in vogue?  Who knew?  Wheat is hot!

Coco Chanel loved wheat.  And who is a better judge of style than Coco Chanel?  Look at these fabulous Chanel pieces featuring wheat.  Karl Lagerfeld (creative director at Chanel) knew of Coco Chanel's affinity for wheat and has paid homage to her many times using the iconic design.

I want to wear Chanel wheat! 

This table lived in Coco Chanel's Paris apartment.  Fab!

Wheat is cropping up in lots of other places too.  On invitations.  

Check these out on Etsy.

On plates.

Buy here.

Even at weddings.

And I LOVE this handmade, brass, wheat necklace and earrings.  Tres chic!

From Etsy.  

Etsy

Who says farming can't be fashionable?  I feel inspired to take the wheat trend to new levels.  Maybe I can wear wheat in my hair.  Or include a sprig of wheat on Christmas packages.  For now, I will settle for looking at it growing on the horizon.  And eating it for lunch. 

  

The view from my "office."

 

Have you tried the wheat trend?  How do you wear it?

Nevada City, California Wedding Going

I have friends spread out across this great land. I am in my early 30's which means lots of my friends have either tied the knot or are getting the itch do so. Put these two things together and it equals a booked wedding calendar. This weekend, I am in North San Juan, California, just north of Nevada City, California for the wedding of a high school friend.



I have described this part of the world as the place "where rednecks meet hippies." This wasn't based on a brochure or any factual information, but just my best guess. I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the landscape, the friendly people, and the cute shops and restaurants. (There are lots of hippies and rednecks, and lots of yuppies too.)

Today, I arrived in Nevada City in the late afternoon, with just enough time to browse the main drag. Nevada City is filled with the charm of an old mining town turned hippie haunt turned trendy vacation spot. I found it absolutely lovely. I even found a new jewelry designer for Bon Lemon. (This wedding trip is now a tax write off. Woo hoo!)



The local jewelry designer uses cameos produced in Europe with metals, resin, crystals, and stones to create handmade pieces in her Nevada City workshop. They feel vintage and modern all at the same time. Look for these new pieces in the shoppe and online next week. (P.S. The shoppe gal, who was likely in her 70's, was about as fab as you could get. We chatted for at least an hour about hard work, family, and not being too matchy matchy. Loved her!)



As I walked down the streets there was live music playing in the watering holes (filled with patrons), people setting up for tomorrow's farmer's market, a man setting out the sandwich board at a French restaurant, and random hippies playing hacky sack. What else do you need?



I am now in North San Juan getting ready to head to the rehearsal dinner. The sun is shining and there is a light breeze on the deck. Things are more laid back here. The doors aren't locked at the bed and breakfast. Those guests not staying here are camping. And sun dresses and flip flops are the wedding attire du jour. Should be a great contrast to the traditional weddings I know and love. More pictures to come. Come to Nevada City. It is really quite great. (Anywhere with yuppies, hippies, and rednecks is a winner in my book.)

Foo Foo Hats Are Pretty

Some loved the hats at Will and Kate's wedding. Some hated them. Some could care less and can't wait until wedding mania is a thing of the past. I fall into the first group. I love the tradition and the flair. Awhile back, I had a hat made for a formal affair of my own. I think it would be quite fit for attending a royal wedding. (It even came from England!) I am sure I can come up with another excuse to wear it. Grocery shopping anyone?

One of my favorite hats of the day was Victoria Beckham's. There were others with more color and volume, but Beckham's seemed so very "her."



Love, love, love this one.



But Beatrice darling, what were you thinking?



I think it is time to go hat shopping.

BHLDN: Anthropolgie Gets Married

Did you know Anthropologie is doing weddings and formal wear now? My ever-fashionable mother, Sweet Peach, told me about it as we were watching some bad TLC show about bitchy women picking out overpriced taffeta. BHLDN is Anthro's new formal/bridal line. Their website dropped on Valentine's Day this year and there has been lots of press both positive and negative.



I was engaged once. Some of you know that. Others don't. Planning a wedding and then cancelling it is one of those experiences you wouldn't wish upon anyone, but you wouldn't trade for anything. I did the whole "wedding dress shopping thing." I realized quickly the only bridal dresses I liked were not just a few thousand dollars, but tens of thousands of dollars. Think Sex and the City. To each their own, but I couldn't justify spending a fraction of that on a dress I would only wear once.

I purchased one of Betsey Johnson's first bridal dresses, because it was the closest I was going to get to couture without the price tag. It was fabulous, but it fit me like the relationship: nice on the hanger, but it kind of pinched in the wrong places. And it was still white and strapless, which I just wasn't into. (If you are wondering what I did with the damn thing after I got "un-engaged," I was lucky enough to have purchased the dress through a friend, and she was able to return it. Woo hoo!) I never loved the dress, and I realized if I ever decided to tie the knot (and picked the right guy) I would be going the very non-traditional route in the dress department.



For now, I will leave the bridal wear to you all. I can oogle the shoes and cocktail dresses. But check out BHLDN. Tell me what you think. Did Anthro nail it or miss the mark?

P.S. A little secret between you and me... This was my wedding dress. Pretty sassy, huh? Someday, I will likely have the urge to wear a wedding dress again. Until then... cheers!