Spring Love

Things slow down for us during the beginning of the year, which is the perfect time to take a break and gear up for the year. It's also when we have the opportunity to get to know our new couples and work with them one on one. And even though spring just started, it's been in full force for several weeks now, meaning we've had goregous weather for photo shoots. 

Here's some black and white goodness for you, the hub's fav. I'm pretty sure he would only work in b/w if he could..

photos by oh darling

A New Collection + Press

I'm gearing up for the launch of my 2012 wedding dress collection in just a couple of weeks! So stay tuned for the new lovelies. Here's a peek at one of the new dresses..

And I'm so excited to have to two mentions in the Spring 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. The Glea Blouse and Bellis Dress in Horizon made an appearance.

A few changes..

..but in the best of ways! The hub and I are expecting our first child later this year! Isn't that scary, exciting, overwhelming, and thrilling? Yeah, that's how I feel :) But so incredibly blessed. 

Life has been interesting the past few months and although I'm into my second trimester, pregnancy sickness has decided to linger. I call it pregnancy sickness and not morning sickness because it prefers to keep me company most of the day. I'm not going to lie, it's been a struggle but I have an amazing hub, family, and friends who help me with what I need! 

I've slowly started planning the arrival of this bundle, we find out the gender in the next few weeks and then I could imagine things will start to feel more real. I'll try to share what I can with you here but not overwhelm the blog with my baby-brain. I've always tried to keep Darling Dexter an extension of me and what's going on in my life creatively and personally...and simply maintain it as my own corner of the web :)

West Elm Charlotte + Etsy

North Carolina friends! I've teamed up with West Elm + Etsy for a We Heart Handmade Art event in Charlotte at the end of the month. Lots of awesome of goods that you must check out. Find out more below or on the West Elm blog. And you can RSVP to the event here!

Back in the Day

My sister-in-law got me the Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook for Christmas and it finally arrived this week! I'm an old fashioned buttercream cupcake kind of girl and when we lived in Savannah, they made the absolute best. To have the recipe in my hands along with countless other treats is so exciting..I'd love to bake my way through the book, Julia Childs style...so we'll see :)

Upcoming Trunk Shows!

I'm sending the current collection around the country over the next couple of months! So make an appointment to see it first hand (and maybe a few newbie wedding dresses!). See below for the Bella Bridesmaid locations, dates, and contact info. 

C O L O R

We ended up with a measlely little winter here in NC -- we've hovered for months well above freezing. Compared to the last few blizzardy winters we had in New York, I've been okay with it. But now I'm ready, bring on spring and bring on color. And talk about adding pep in your step...these bright numbers from Seychelles have me ready to break out the bare feet.

New Pattern: August Rose

I couldn't be more excited to introduce a new print available for the bridesmaid + garden party dresses! August Rose is an abstract floral made of white and light gray. It's perfect for so many color palettes and is of the same cotton lawn softness -- making it comfy and luxurious. 

It's seen here in the Willow dress style.