100 days of Active Resistance

I had to write about this new project I was emailed about this afternoon, as it is brought to us by Vivienne Westwood, and she has never failed to make it into my top three list of favourite designers: as far as i'm concerned, she can do no wrong! If I could afford to, i'd wear her dresses (and jackets) every day.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Lee are launching an online installation called ‘100 Days of Active Resistance’ on the 8th of September. They asking the public to participate by submitting an artwork or photograph that best represents Vivienne’s principle idea of Active Resistance and everyday one artwork will be featured on the website for the next 100 days, finishing with an exhibition displaying the best selection of artworks they've received.

Here's what Active Resistance is about from the main lady herself: “The principle idea of Active Resistance is that you get out of life what you put in and that real experience of the world involves thinking. It is not enough to follow world politics, see films and read the prize-winning best seller. This is superficial, you need to go deep in order to understand who you are, what the world is and how things could be better. This involves culture which can only be acquired by self-education: human beings should mirror the world.”

I have no talent for this kind of thing (the quality of the photography on this blog is testament to this!) but if you do, then take a photo, create an image, and use your creativity to show your active resistance! Visit www.ar100days.com from the 8th September to make a submission and get involved, and for more info, and to get some all-important ideas, visit www.activeresistance.co.uk now!

Love, Tor xxx

Image from FTape.com

Real Engagement: Mike and Sheryl

Perhaps you remember back in May, when we had written about how we were desperately searching for dresses to wear to our good friend, Mike's, wedding. Well, Mike and his new bride, Sheryl, are so important to us that we've decided to feature them in a multi-post "Real Couple" series!



Sheryl and Mike met back in April of 2004 at NJIT, in Newark, New Jersey, and have been together ever since. Introduced by a mutual friend (who would later become the charming best man), they began chatting online, dining at the campus cafeteria, and watching the latest episode of The O.C. (oh how we miss it...). Their relationship continued to grow, they began dating officially, and eventually Mike and Sheryl graduated college and moved in together.  

Then one day Mike, being ever so sneaky, created a romantic candle lit path in a park in Sheryl's hometown and lured Sheryl there saying they were having ice cream. Sheryl never did get that ice cream... but, she did get a ring!  This particular ring meant a lot to Sheryl, and she wrote to us with the story behind the ring that was so sentimental and sweet that we had to share it with you as well.  Sheryl writes, "Mike proposed using my grandmothers diamond set on a setting I had pointed out a few months before. She had been sick for awhile and had given it to my mom for me or my sister to use. The day after he proposed we went to visit her to tell her the good news, and she passed away the next day."  



So, with Grandma's blessing, they began their wedding planning and decided they wanted to work with Wayne Yuan, of Wayne Yuan Photography, for their engagement and wedding photography.  We asked Sheryl why they picked Coney Island and she said they loved the colors and industrial feel. She went on to add, "there is something about that place that makes it eerie and amusing all at the same time, and there is so much to offer in such a small area that allows for a lot of great photo opportunities." Coney Island was an exciting, entertaining, and bustling spot during the early 19th century and to this day its allure is still apparent.  Maybe it's the smell of cotton candy and funnel cakes, maybe it's the history and romance wondering how many couples had courted there before them, or maybe it's just genuine love for one another, but whatever it is, these photos really capture Mike and Sheryl's joy in being together. We think Wayne did a brilliant job capturing the moment, and we love the bright colors, sweet poses, dramatic lighting, and composition. Take a look for yourself!  

Thanks, Mike and Sheryl for sharing your engagement with us!  And thanks to Wayne Yuan for the beautiful eye candy!  

Check back next Friday for Mike and Sheryl's Wedding!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Engagement Photo Session

When you're in love, you want to share it with the world! That's why many couples like to announce their pending nuptials through an engagement photo shoot!  We browsed theknot.com for some unique photo shoot inspirations, and here are our favorite picks:

We love this cute beach motif captured by Leigh Miller Photography. The grainy pictures and vintage styling give this a wonderful retro feel that really reflects the couple's personal style.  Plus the matching outfits are too cute!

These photos by Caroline Tran are sweet and whimsical, with a great use of color.  We love that the couple is dressed simply in white, causing the vibrant red balloons to really pop! 

Engagement photos can be used to tell a story, like recreate how the happy couple first met and fell in love! We love this approach, as photographed by Jesse Leak Photography, because it recreates a real life fairytale, complete with eating pizza and walking into the sunset. 

Don't be afraid to play dress up! This photo shoot by Punam Bean Photography creates an eclectic look, pairing vintage fashion with the gorgeous Redwood Forest. We love the couple's unique style and their fun poses, plus they look so happy together!

Strike a pose, dolls!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira