I'm off for Princeton tomorrow morning for my brother's wedding! I've been so excited this week it's been hard to concentrate on anything else. These are the save-the-dates they sent out last Fall and they've been on my desk ever since. Aren't they cute!? Maryam got them custom made at the Brooklyn-based Sesame Letterpress. Coolness! See y'all on Monday.

We just got a sampling our engagement photos back yesterday! It was so fun spending the day with Max Wanger and his fiance Margaux who was also taking snaps. They are the coolest! Looking at the photos just reminded me how fun of a day it was to wander around downtown L.A. and go up into Colwater Canyon. We did some standard announcement poses too, but these are more fun to look at. Click the photos to enlarge or check out more from our shoot on Max's blog.

I've been more M.I.A. than I planned to be this week. Part of the reason is because I forgot to pack my camera cord and the other is because it's been so unbelievably beautiful in Southern California that I haven't wanted to do anything but be outside. I took some snaps this afternoon at Paul Smith with my iPhone, but I've got some good stuff for next week including a look inside Trina Turk's residential boutique in Palm Springs. I have to say if I had to pick one clothing store to live in, it would probably be the Paul Smith store on Melrose. They have bikes, they have books, they have an amazing salon wall, they have David Hockney prints, Nelson clocks, vintage Rolexes, do I need to go on?

So far I've had a pretty decent go at the whole wedding dress shopping experience, and I'm completely overwhelmed. The most important thing I've learned is to not start bleeding at a very nice dress store. I accidentally cut my finger (right on the knuckle—it was really bleeding) and walked away from the experience with the amount of guilt I imagine one would have if they murdered a puppy. So lately I've been thinking maybe I'll just get a white dress that isn't a wedding dress—like the above Dolce & Gabbana number? Or below: Oscar de la Renta, Chloé, Donna Karen. What do you think, would any of you wear these to your wedding? Too short?

I am loving these Calypso Obee Belts (on sale for $19) so much that I bought six of them last night with my cousin (ok, not six for myself, but almost). We were on the hunt for bridesmaid dresses and these belts look great on almost all their resort wear. The rest of Calypso's online sale merch is really quite good right now too.

I am so psyched this morning because Matt and I booked Max Wanger to take engagement photos of us this March in L.A. I love his work and his use of rich bold color—plus, he seems like such a cool guy, it's the most excited I've been about anything wedding-related. I saw the engagement photos he took of Joanna Goddard about a month ago and freaked out. After I emailed him about seeing if he would do it he emailed me back and said he saw my blog and noted we had three things in common: trips to Tokyo, a love of Chuck Taylors and Salmonella. Thanks Max!

I've been getting a lot of "where are you with your wedding plans"-questions and the more I get asked the more I realize how much I've been procrastinating. This weekend I'm going to get down to some serious planning. One thing I did do (see Mom, I did something!) is file this pic in a wedding folder (see Matt, I am organized!). Being the pyro that I am, I would love to have fireworks at our reception, but I doubt we'll be allowed to do that in the driest place on earth during fire season, so I'm hoping we can get some of these enormous sparklers instead. Pretty cool! Have a great weekend!

My brother and his fiancée, who's last name is Kamvar, walked into an engagement party their friends threw them in New York last weekend and saw the above customized Obamicon poster as part of the decoration! The site allows you to create your own Shepard Fairey-inspired campaign poster and put it on posters, coffee cups, t-shirts, stamps, mousepads and all that. It definitely makes a great party favor or gag.

Matt and I worked over the weekend on nailing down a date for our wedding (well, he worked and made multiple spreadsheets with my mom while I quietly browsed the internet). For some reason I don't have the bride gene, and this is going to be a long process if I don't snap to it—and fast. Ha, anyway, I think I really like this Brooklyn calligrapher Love, Jenna, especially the way she writes zip codes. So cool.

Watches and links and shoes, oh my!
By Amy Fox, DESIGNwatcher's fashion correspondent

One of my favorite things to shop for, talk about, pair up with, save money for and spend money on, is undoubtedly the accoutrements! I've said it before and I'll say it again—it's all about the accessories. A beautiful watch, a classic pair of shoes, chic man jewels (cufflinks!) can take a more moderately priced suit (think J. Crew or H&M) and turn it into a real shining star. If you buy a classic iconic piece, you will always have a place to sport it: the office, a dinner party, the beach, or a wedding. They will never go out of style and will end up being a good investment and something to hand down to your children and grandchildren as well.

Here are some pieces I covet:

Vintage Rolexes. You can find a great selection online here or Steven Alan has a beautiful selection at their Venice shop. These watches can be dressed up or down. Wear it with your Tom Ford tux on the big day or with your beat up 501's from college. Although, maybe the gold one should be saved for special occasions only, it's a 9CT imperial Oyster from 1940's. The stainless steel is an Oyster Date Perpetual from 1950's, such pristine pieces.

Lizzie chiming in here for one sec: I am obsessed with these custom dial Rolexes from the 50s-80s. OBSESSED. So if anyone wants to get me one, I'll be your best friend for life. OK that's it. Back to Amy...


Cufflinks
Santos-Dumont cufflinks by Cartier. This style comes in many varieties—but I especially love them in in yellow gold and onyx (bottom pic). Alberto Santos-Dumont was a Brazilian aviation pioneer that proved controlled flight was possible in 1901 by circling the Eiffel Tower; he was one of the most famous men of his generation. I don't think his name-sake cufflinks will never go out of style.

Shoes
Women's shoes, Men's shoes, it's all the same. SHOES, I just adore. Here's the low down for a men's tux: Top left: Alexander McQueen's metallic Venetian green loafers ($1,085). What a beautiful pair of slip-on shoes. Perfect for the guy that's sporting the edgier look. This is for sure the shoe you wear with that custom-fitted tux—a gorgeous green that's not garish at all. Top right: John Lobb ($1500, avail. at Bergdorf Goodman). A word about John Lobb: English boot maker, started up his cobble work around the 1840's. Fans included Kings, Maharajahs, politicians, business moguls, and, this says it all, Frank and Dean. The detail on his signature oxford makes it a must-have. Bottom right: Church Alastair lace-ups (approx. $500). This patent dress shoe is a proper gent's lace up. Absolutely perfect to accompany a black tie dress code. Bottom left: Paul Smith Stan shoe (approx. $400). This formal shoe with a chisel toe front is also great for the rock and roll tux, but will also be good for a night out at the bars.

The first in a wedding series from DESIGNwatcher fashion correspondent Amy Fox!

Well Suited
By Amy Fox

I'm kicking it off with the gents first as I'm a big lover of men's suiting, furnishings and good ol' haberdashery. Maybe it all started when I was a window dresser at J. Crew? Anyway, I truly believe a man can buy a beautifully cut suit, tweak it out with the correct formal accoutrements and call it a day for his wedding ensemble—especially if the nuptials are more on the casual side—and why not save a buck when you can? For inspiration I always start with the above photo. Mr. Mick Jagger kills it in the style department today with the help of his current lady love, L'wren Scott as his stylist and of course in the photo with his first wife, Ms. Bianca Perez Morena De Macias. Such a perfect moment captured in such a casual way. Not staged and probably not even styled.

In regards to a modern wedding look with a vintage/British vibe, I'm a big fan of the following looks:

1. The Burberry slim fit suit which usually runs in the neighborhood of $1600. What I really think is smart about this suit isn't just the color and fabric, which is a beautiful light grey in a light-weight wool, but also that it's perfect for almost any time of year—and clearly can be worn more than just for the wedding. My favorite detail in any suit is the double vent in back, which this one has.

2. Paul Smith waistcoat made from hounds tooth check wool with a notch lapel (approx. $400). My advice when it comes to Paul Smith is to not buy online. You should really go to one of his shops, have a look around, chat up a sales gent and get properly fitted. He does men's suiting with such flair and love for detail, you really can't go wrong. Always timeless and tasteful.

3. The Banana Republic khaki suit (approx $500). This suit is so chic and simple, it's practically a blank canvas. Jazz this up with a Brioni or Prada tux shirt with pleats, a vintage waistcoat, a dark toned neck or bow tie (maybe in midnight navy, dark steel gray or hunter green silk satin), throw on some patent leather lace-up's and you've got a really smart look with that rocker edge. Plus you can take this suit on your honeymoon, pair it with a worn-in tee, some slip-on Vans and head on over to your first brunch as married sweeties! Have a bloody or two for me!

DW fashion correspondent Amy Fox is contributing tomorrow with a piece about bridegroom couture, so to precede that, some of my favorite groom looks. I think the key is knowing who you are. Elvis' paisley tux for example, would look horrendous on most men, but it was perfect for his 1967 Vegas wedding.

Elvis and Priscilla at the Aladdin Hotel.

I really like crooked bow ties, and those orchid strings in the background (via New York Magazine).

Everyone loves the Mick wedding get up.

A wedding in the Adirondacks shouldn't be without Madras. At first I didn't like it, but then I got into it (via New York Magazine).

I especially admire Robert Downey Jr.'s matching two-toned Vans with no socks.

My brother's fiance's brother, Sep, looked great in a Prada tux (love those peaked lapels) and a Distilled tux shirt last September.

Eric Clapton looks great in "cream" with his new wife Patty Boyd, the former Mrs. George Harrison, a.k.a. Layla.

At the time of their wedding, 2000, the skinny tie was not as ubiquitous as it is now. Hedi Slimane of Dior designed Pitt's dinner jacket and tie.

John McEnroe and Tatum O'Neal in 1986. He's wearing a red Pee-Wee Herman sized (clip-on?) bow tie. Adds a lot of character to a guy who isn't short any.

Sir Paul and Linda Eastman in 1969. I love this look.

Pierce Brosnan looking great in a waistcoat.

Royals always look so good when they wed, that light blue sash adds great color and the medals are great for accessorizing. Just kidding (sorta).