all of the cup dresses are finished! yay!

here are a few of my favorite frocks from the 2011 carolina cup collection !

sure does feel good to have all of these dresses complete!

look for pictures from the races soon!

xoxo

tiny boxwood bliss

you enter a modern metal gate covered in perfectly groomed vines. french music and fresh baked bread filled the air. a sign directs you to place your order, you enter the most beautiful garden your mind can imagine.

last sunday reece and i had brunch at the most amazing place. part french cafe, part nursery, part posh modern garden gift shop. tiny boxwoods in houston texas is tucked away in the middle of downtown.

inside metal beams and concrete floors contrasted with wooden tables and fresh picked hydrangeas.

on the other side of the green lawn the nursery is laid out in a perfect grid pattern. bright yellows and pink line the walkway.

i would love for the inside of my house to decorated this way... maybe after the cup ill make some changes. the small shop in the corner of the nursery was so relaxing...

attention to detail everywhere... love how these wagons are displayed....

onto the rice ucf baseball game then back to columbia to wrap up the cup dresses!

one week and its off to the races....

this box of serger thread is now empty...

one week from saturday 183 girls will be wearing a frock that we have designed and made especially for her. a dress to match her hair color, favorite sandals, dates bowtie and personality. each one thought about as if it were the last dress they may have to wear for the rest of their lives. it really is unlike just picking a dress for another occasion from another shop. what does that fabric say about who she is? is it modern and classy? fun and vintage? to have a dress made that exactly says "me". we pick the navy ruffle to contrast with olive skin and the skirt with pockets even though we know we wont put anything in them, its just fun, right?

perfectly planned out and constructed with "her" in mind. the KD at carolina, the young newlywed... even had a grandmother making her appearance at the cup for the 26th time. woman of all ages and walks of life in custom dresses. some who save and plan for a year knowing that this is the dress they have to have and other who stubble in by the suggestion of a friend. i have to admit that it is moving when a gal has thought about her custom laroque dress for sometime. i know i always appreciate things more after pinning over them.

17 girls have yet to be fitted. 12 bow ties need hooks and 8 monogram sashes in the works. i know it seems last minute, it feels that way too. we start with cup dresses right after christmas but its hard to think seersucker thoughts with snow on the ground. my team of seamstresses assures me that we are on track but i still worry and can't sit still.

this time next week

numerous bow tying lessons will have been given, dresses will be pressed, hats will be adored with matching bows we will be off to the races!

here is a look behind the scenes...

don't you love this green sewing machine?

we file your order by day. all of the waiting prints where ordered one tuesday in march...

one week of orders pre cup...

back to the ironing board... happy one week before cup!

lindsey and charlie say i do in laroque!

it is so rewarding to share someone's special day with them. lindsey and charlie were such a great couple to work with and get to know. they share the type of love little girls dream of... you should have seen his face when she walked down the aisle. he was so happy and she was so beautiful. i love how each of the bridesmaid picked out the style that fit her personality best. they looked just lovely.

its occasions like this that make me remember what this is all about... outfitting ladies for real life. making them feel special on days that matter most.