FFF - Alexis Bittar, Pronovias NYC Sample sales, J. Crew discount, and karaoke times!

Happy Fun Free Friday lovelies!

Are you ready for the first week of the last month of the year (seriously, where did the time go?)

Online sales
The ever evolving, ever lovely J. Crew has a discount for you holiday shoppers - save 25% off $150 and 30% off $250 with free shipping with code gifts online and in-store.   This is nice because it applies to both sale and regular merchandise (sometimes the code is only valid for one or the other).  Hmm do I need more J. Crew costume jewelry..

NYC Sales
Alexis Bittar, home of edgy and very cool jewelry and accessories (don't just listen to me, the CFDA gave him the title of "Accessories Designer of the Year" in 2010) is having a sale!  If you're in NYC, now's a great time to gift yourself an awesome cuff or two.  Details below.

I love Pronovias, the designer of my ceremony wedding gown.  I got my dress at their bridal sample sale in NYC.  It was a cap sleeve, lace extravaganza with the perfect vintage vibe.  Oh and it was more than 60% off.  Brides, if you like Pronovias (or any of their lines, Elie Saab for Pronovias, Manuel Mota, San Patrick, La Sposa), go!

Otherwise, this weekend I am...

...going to sing karaoke with friends!  Ahh, how interesting that such an activity can bring such fun, fear, and embarrassment!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Designer Thursday - DVF (and DVF, Pronovias, Martha Stewart, Lauren Merkin NYC sample sale info)

Princess, icon, fashion revolutionary, and now billionaire media mogul wife - Diane Von Furstenberg has had a full and awesome life.  Imagine designing a simple dress that would later hold a place in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, living in Bali for a few years with the (then) love of your life, and hanging out with Andy Warhol back in the day?  Wow.

Since her fashion resurgence, she has of course brought back the wrap dress but also created contemporary pieces I know I wouldn't mind having in my closet.

Of course there is the pleated mesh wonder that is the Stephanie bag.

I love the draping and versatility of the Brady jacket.

 

Finally isn't this so appropriate for the holidays?  Well I guess when else can you wear velvet?

 

Now for a mostly NYC based sample sale rundown (another reason why it's an awesome place to live, so jealous I'm not home now).

DVF - Dec 8 - 11, Tu: 9 am - 6:30 pm , We: 10 am - 8 pm, Thu: 10 am - 7 pm, Fri: 9 am - 3 pm, 260 5th Ave, bw 28th and 29th Streets

- Totally go if you are a DVF fan.  I live tweeted from this last time.  The line was reasonable and there was a $50 rack in back (I think it went to $20 or $25 on the last day).  Dresses were about $125 - $175 if I remember correctly.  Prices go down every day.

Pronovias - Dec. 6 - Call 212.897.6393 for an appointment, 14 E. 52 bw 5th Ave and Madison Ave.

- This is where I got my reception dress for 70% off (initial post here with some more pics).  Loved it and obviously love to share deals...

Martha Stewart- Dec. 5 -12 pm - 6 pm, 601 W. 26th St. bw 11 and 12 Aves 

- Artisans and crafters sell their wares at the holiday craft sale.  The domestic diva in me is so jealous.  Probably great gifts for family can be found here!

Lauren Merkin - Dec. 8-11, 11 am - 7 pm, Dec. 12 - 11 am - 4 pm, 231 W. 29th St, bw 7th and 8th Ave, Ste. 201

- Go if you need a clutch or want to gift one (I gifted all of my girls some type of Lauren Merkin bag and my own wedding clutch, pic here).  This sale is amazing.  You can get most clutches from $15 - $90.  So worth it.  Isn't this peacock print cute?

Designer Thursday - Pronovias wedding gowns/dresses and my ceremony dress!

I promised Mr. Chic 'n Cheap that I'd post non-wedding stuff the last week but now my week is up and I'm all about wedding fashion again!

Pronovias is a family-owned Spanish design powerhouse established in 1964. Their gowns are reminiscent of traditional gowns but done with more sensual fits and fabrics; their silhouettes are generally closer fitting rather than ballgown style.

Elie Saab for Pronovias - someone please wear this? From here but I recognize this from Pronovias lookbook

The Rania - featured prominently in their 2009 marketing campaign - regal and elegant*

I visited their boutique in NYC - a tall, modern space replete with both modern and vintage style gowns. They tend to use lots of quality silk
dupioni, applique lace, and chiffon in their collections - the look is quintessentially Spanish romance. You look through the books of different Pronovias lines - they range from Valentino ($$$$$) to the main Pronovias line ($1500+).

Relieve - love the dropped waist and jeweled belt

Though my consultant wasn't warm and bubbly, she was helpful and efficient (and ultimately helped me when I bought my gown at their sample sale) and most importantly kept us hydrated and happy.

Pronovias has also sought to keep the brides involved and intrigued by having runway shows every few months at their NYC flagship. It is a fun experience to see these dresses in action on the catwalk. Perhaps feeling the pinch of the economy, they have had at least 3 sample sales this year and I bought my dress at a sample sale. People needed to make appointments for the sample sale so it was crowded, but not uncomfortably so. If you are close to a Pronovias store, go to their sample sales because they really rock - prices from $500-$2000 from ALL lines including Manuel Mota. eBay and preownedweddingdresses is also a great resource for dresses.

The Radiante - the floral design is simply gorgeous and the trim, oh my - great mermaid and $1000 at the sample sale*

When I put my dress on, I knew it was special. It was a new spring '09 La Sposa line gown. I never looked at this derivative line, but the dress was unique:
- it had sleeves
- it had a semi-ruched bodice
- it had the most intricate applique (which I didn't want initially) lace
- the train just went on and on

Obviously I got the dress. I was worried about tailoring but found a great independent seamstress recommended by the Pronovias recommended seamstress. She hemmed through 3 layors of fabric and took my dress down 2 sizes and she charged an extremely reasonable rate. It fit like a glove and was awesome on. You have to love your dress since there will be a million pictures and you're the center of attention. I really, really, really liked the dress and the Monique Lhuillier dress also really completed the day! 

Some random pictures when I got my hair done

* All pictures from brides.com though those are pulled directly from Pronovias lookbooks