~~~*:Katy Perry:*~~~ Kitschy Retro Style done with HUMOUR!

Katy Perry has an amazing sense of style 

that can only come from having an amazing sense of self.

She comes across as confident and brave taking her

  retro kitschy style, at times, to the extreme.

(via: starpulse)

I am personally a big fan of the pin-up look.

Rompers, bright colours and prints...

all with the bangs and hair adornments in place...

(via: teenvogue)

Not usually something you can easily pull off doing the groceries... 

But Katy Perry always seems to have the perfect occasions to wear onesies :)

(via: glamourvanity)

(via: coutureandthecity)

Love the hearts on the butt-cheeks of this one.
It really puts the literal meaning into "cheeky"

(via: coutureandthecity)

BUT Katy Perry also has a very glamourous, slightly less quirky style 

that is dripping in feminine sophistication.

(via: thefashionpolice)

The above and below pics are my favourite red carpet dresses.

They are still in keeping with her style without being too costume-y.

(via: starandstyle)

Not to mention that the lovely blush shade is ultra flattering with her hair and skin tone.

(via: slackerchic)

Perry has absolutely managed to master the art of being cute and sexy at the same time.

Something I had mentioned, in an earlier post, that Zooey Deschanel is also an expert at.

(via: vintageclothing)

I admire women who can pull this balance off.... because it's tricky!

I try, myself, but I find I just end up looking cute and not necessarily sexy....

Maybe its all in the attitude!

(via: mypromstyle)

Katy Perry also has a playful risk-taking style that allows her to express her individuality and sense of humour though her wardrobe choices.

(via: electricstyle)

This (above) colour changing dress manages to be futuristic, artistic, and ethereal simultaneously.

(via: mikedepasquale)

You can tell that Perry really embraces using what she wears as an opportunity to get noticed and be creative.

She's mastered the art of not taking herself too seriously.

(via: usmagazine)

I don't think she has a hard time getting noticed.....

(via: dailyfill)

Especially not while wearing that (above) outfit.

I think I could start wearing Candyland inspired outfits...

No?

Awe come on....

What exactly is my design style?!

Recently my husband and I have been out and about looking at model homes.

During this process I have realized that I am NOT liking the typical styling in most of these models even though everything is new and shiny.

I prefer warm and cozy to new and shiny... any day.

Part of the process, for me, in figuring our whether I like a certain layout or not is to try and picture my husband and I actually living there.  I know that I have to get past whatever decor is currently occupying the space and just look at the bare bones of the layout.  This is sometimes difficult to do, at least in the maybe ten minutes that you have to really examine the space.

We are currently looking at townhomes, which means the spaces in most cases are very long and narrow with no natural light coming from two of the four sides of the house.

In model houses they tend to arrange what little furniture they include in the best way to try and show how big the space is.

  

BUT 

for the most part they end up with a "dinning room" table too close to the "breakfast table" or the couches and chairs of the living room are spread out too far for anyone to actually sit and converse with company.  

I have also noticed that with the challenges of a townhome space most builders have been going in the "open concept" direction, which can sometimes work well...mostly in larger spaces though.

With a smaller narrow space you just end up feeling like your living room is in your kitchen.

But its a fine balance that has to be made. If you close of all three spaces it feels quite cramped.

Before I end up making this post way too text-heavy, I will get to the point :)

My husband is quite practical when shopping for a house.  

Almost too much at times.

Where as I am more emotional with my decision making.

Almost too much at times.

I like to go with my gut on things... but we're going to have to find a good balance between 

head and heart.

During this whole process of me picturing us living in these houses I have started to think... what exactly will our house look like?

We have decorated apartments before but with owning a house, you have no limitations.

So what is our style?

As I have said before, I looooove vintage kitchens.

BUT

With our first house I don't know that I will have the resources necessary for creating the perfect 

AQUA and RED vintage kitchen....

So I am thinking that I would love touches of red and aqua along with whites and woods....still keeping a vintage eclectic feel.

I think the ultimate combination for me is vintage, modern, rustic and eclectic.

Within those perimeters, I like neutral colours with pops of light blues and greens and a splash of vintagy poppy red.

A mixture of rustic and new finishes is also key.

I really want an island or a table made from a rustic slab of wood.

AND I will definitely be creating a feature wall in the kitchen for some vintage pretty plates.

I LOVE how the above example is in a cluster in an unexpectedly small space!

The same overall aesthetics would be carried over into the living room.

I LOVE the colours in the above room.  The pops of yellow make a big impact.

To me, a fireplace is extremely desirable to have in a livingroom.  

It anchors the space and is so warm and inviting.

I love the the mantel in this (above) pic!

As far as bedrooms are concerned, I would love to keep them quite light and airy.

Where as in the living room I would gravitate to warmer tones, I think in the bedrooms I would keep it cooler.

OH and I am in loooooove with those beautiful birdcage mirrors!

I am also loving this huge rustic wood headboard that wraps all the way up onto the ceiling!!!

It is so simple yet unexpected!

OK so there you have it.

My style in a nut shell, I guess.

I apologize for not having links for each picture.  

I had been collecting them for myself and didn't originally intend on using them for a post.

So is there a name that I can attach to my design style?

Vintage?

Modern?

Rustic?

Eclectic?

I can't use any ONE of those words because I truly love a mixture of all of them.

So for now I guess I'll just have to call it 

Melissa's Style ;)

Mr. Lazaro, you make nice dresses.

After attending my sister-in-law's lovely bridal shower today and having conversations about wedding dress... well I now have wedding dresses on the brain :)

SO I have decided to feature one of my favourite bridal designers that I wasn't able to afford for my own wedding.....

but a girl can dream, right!?

That designer is the great 

LAZARO

"Lazaro blends ultra-glamorous vintage details, stunning floral embellishments and signature hand-beading and embroidery in his latest collection. Lazaro's hallmark craftsmanship, combined with sumptuous fabrics and perfectly cut silhouettes, give every gown an haute couture feel."

This quote is how the Lazaro website describes his dresses...and I think it's pretty darn accurate.

The next few dresses are from his Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 collections.

I am completely in love with the above dress!

It is an excellent combination of tulle and fluffy whimsy with a touch of romance in adding the lace detailing and bow.

I am also a BIG fan of this (above) dress as well.

I love the sexy bustier looking top paired with the soft layering of fabrics in the skirt.

This dress reminds me of some Vera Wang dresses...which is great because she is another of the bridal designers that have won over my heart.

AND I couldn't resist featuring some of their tried and true dresses from their bestsellers collection.

I love the antique look of this (above) dress.

So feminine. 

I LOVE this dress...with it's pink details and flower feature with tulle on the back.  I love how different and unexpected it is.  

Who would have thought that pink in a wedding dress could be so fabulous?!?!?

PLEASE click on this photo (or any of the others) to see them larger so you can really take in all of the amazing details from these dresses!

Because as far as LAZARO (and I) are concerned,

Its all in the details.