aBree Original Interview & Feature

I was so excited when Marcelle of Marcelle Calder Photography contacted me about doing an interview about my wedding gown and love story on her blog! She was so sweet to work with and is a great photographer from Arizona, be sure to check her out!

Here is the feature (you can also find it on her blog HERE)

When I first saw Bree Wilkins’ dress I knew I wanted to talk to her and hear the whole story about this amazing piece of art. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. She designed and sewed her stunning wedding dress herself.

Thanks so much Bree for sharing your stories with us! You can see more of her work on her website abreeoriginal.com. Photographer: Rebekah Westover.

MC: Bree, tell us about your love story with Taylor. How did you meet?

BW: I still remember the second day of high school (2005) when my friend introduced me to a cute boy named Taylor. And so it began. We dated on (and off) throughout high school, he served an LDS mission and I got my fashion design degree at FIT, we both were accepted into the Marriott School at BYU, we got engaged in fall 2012 and were finally married on May 4, 2013. (I have my love story with pictures posted on my blog).

MC: Tell us what you love about Taylor and what he loves about you.

BW: I love everything about Taylor, like seriously he is perfect for me in every way. He is the best friend that I never get sick of. We can dream together knowing that we both have the determination to make our dreams reality.

I asked him what he loves about me and he said…”everything!” So there’s that!

Bree and Taylor’s adorable proposal story can be found on her blog with all the details.

MC: Now, tell us about your journey of designing clothing.

BW: Ever since I was young I have loved dressing up. I remember back in elementary school, my mom would sew outfits for me and I would help design them. We had this pink and orange striped dress that was my favorite. We even made a matching purse.

In junior high and high school I would buy wedding magazines and cut out all the pretty dresses (before the days of Pinterest) and still have a HUGE stack of inspiration. When I was in high school I was so extremely excited for the formal dances except that I hated every dress I found in stores. That is when my creativity chimed in and I told my mom we’d make me a dress! Both of us do sew, so we weren’t completely in over our heads. The trick was, what I wanted did not come with a pattern. That is when I discovered that my brain luckily made sense of constructing a garment and we completed my first aBree Original gown when I was 16.

Fast forward (many formal dresses later) to 2008. I graduated high school and knew I wanted to go to fashion design school in NYC. It was my dream. So my mom took me out to New York City to check out FIT and Parsons. I fell in love with The Fashion Institute of Technology so much that it was the only school I applied for. The application process was strenuous and difficult, not to mention the fashion design program has less than a 10% acceptance rate, so when my acceptance came in the mail I was thrilled. That summer I developed my first business plan to make money for FIT – make and sell headbands. I finished my time at FIT with a study abroad to Milan and Paris.

MC: Where do you look for inspiration?

BW: Weddings. I am in love with everything that has to with weddings. I have a million saved images on Pinterest of gowns and formal dresses. My favorite wedding blogs are Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, and Once Wed. BHLDN is amazing as well – they have extremely good stylists who choose amazing gowns. Elie Saab is my design hero. His aesthetic is so in tune with mine. My style is very glam chic. Not edgy, not abstract. Pretty simple with a hint of the unexpected (mostly in the form of sparkly things.)

MC: How long did it take to design and then sew your dress?

BW: Ever since I can remember I had been sketching and accumulating ideas for my wedding dress. In the summer of 2010 I saw a sequin dress in J.Crew Bridal store on Madison Ave. and I knew it NEEDED to be part of my wedding gown. My mom having full faith in me gave me the okay to buy it. Once I had that sequin piece the dress started to make sense and come to life in my mind. I actually had the complete skirt portion designed in my head pretty quickly and started accumulating all the other fabric by the next year.

Two years after I bought the sequin piece I finally got engaged and could actually create the dress that had been in my head for years. I took the fall 2012 semester off of school to design and make my wedding gown. I started on the bottom half of my gown because that design was solidified in my head. After countless hours of hand-sewing organza and chiffon flowers with hundreds of beads, the skirt part was complete and I was in love! The top proved to be more difficult. I could not pick one idea to stick with. There were so many elements I wanted to incorporate and when I finally designed the final bodice I knew it was the perfect match. After more than 250 hours of labor and over 3,000 beads the dress was complete and it was exactly what I wanted!

MC: I’m curious if your dress is heavy!

BW: Yes, it is quite heavy. The sequins especially and then all of the fabric flowers with beads weigh it down a bit too. But I didn’t notice it while it was on.

MC: Can you share with us a favorite moment on your wedding day?

BW: I think just being surrounded by Taylor and our family and friends all day was the best part. There is not one photo from the entire day where Taylor and I aren’t smiling ear to ear or giggling. We were just so extremely happy that the day had finally come for us to be sealed together. We felt unstoppable and so full of joy and love. It was the best feeling in the world.

MC: If I handed the two of you a million dollars what would you do with it?

BW: Haha, being the finance/business people we are we’d in reality probably save/invest it for MBA school. BUT if we were to spend it we would probably go to Europe on a vacation, eat at amazing restaurants, and go on a nice big shopping spree to J.Crew and Saks.

MC: And lastly, what’s one thing on your bucket list?

BW: Travel. Everywhere. Greece is my top choice.

Again, thanks Bree for sharing your incredible work with us. Next week on Wedding Wednesday there will be some tips from Bree and Teresa (another seamstress) on how to design your own wedding gown. See you then!

VENDORS:

flowers: Bella Fleur

custom dress: aBree Original

custom veil: aBree Original

earrings: Kate Spade

shoes: J.Crew

bracelet and necklace: gifted from groom during courtship

hair and makeup: Janelle at Versa Artistry

nails: Alexis at Suggestions Salon

eyelash extensions: Elise at Suggestions Salon

custom suit and shirt: Dress Code

shoes: Aldo

watch: Michael Kors

cufflinks: Etsy

ring: Goldsmith Co.

If you would like to see more photos of our bridal session it was also featured on: bree lena (most extensive), aBree Original, aBree Fashion, Utah Bride Blog, and Rebekah Westover Photography.

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Linked with Face It Catalog and Coffee Beans & Bobby Pins, Three-Fer Thursday, Mix & Match Fashion, Rolled up Pretty, Fab Favorites and Fashion & Faith.

get to know me: Liebster Award #2

I received The Liebster Blog Award from my style sister Amanda @ The Sequined Spaniel, last week. And also from my sweet friend Kelsey @ Brighter Things. You can also check out my answers to the Liebster Award I received earlier this month. I am so grateful for all the amazing blogging friends I have made so far since I started aBree Fashion back in January. Thank you!!

"What’s a Liebster Award you ask? Liebster is a German word meaning dearest, and the award is given to up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers who deserve some recognition and support to keep on blogging. It's also a great way to discover new blogs!"

Here are the rules:
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter and link back to their blog.
2. Share 11 things about yourself and answer the questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate 5 blogs that you enjoy to receive the award who have less than 200 followers, and provide them with questions to answer about themselves.
4. Inform them of their nomination by leaving a comment on their blog.

11 Things About Me...I even added some pictures that went along..
1. My favorite show of ALL TIME is One Tree Hill. It started when I was in 9th grade. I've seen all the seasons multiple times and the first 4 seasons I've seen at least 5 times... I own all the DVD's and I LOVE THEM. I also love that they feature my favorite singer - Gavin Degraw. My more recent guilty pleasure since One Tree Hill ended last year is Pretty Little Liars. I've also loved Prison Break, Lost, and Heroes.

2.My favorite place is Italy. It's mostly in my head because I've only been there once - and I only got to be in two cities. I went to Milan for a week on a study abroad through FIT and I was able to take a day trip to Venice. I am DYING to go back and travel all over Italy. I even took Italian my freshmen year at BYU because I love it so much. I love Italian food. I love the art. It's beautiful. While there for 7 days I ate 21 scoops of gelato. Heavenly.

3. I was in my high school Math club and I was also Sterling Scholar for Dance.

4. My favorite tradition with my family is dressing up for Christmas. My siblings get together on Christmas Eve and think of a theme and it is so much fun because we look so silly.

5. Somehow I managed to live out of a tiny closet for one and a half years while I was living in NYC. 

 My small side of my FIT dorm - I shared my room with one other girl. 

The small studio apartment I shared with my friend

6. I was a gymnast from age 3-11; level 8 when I had to quit because of a knee injury. Beam was my best event. After, I started competitive dancing which I did from age 12 until I graduated high school. I was on my FIT dance team (age 19-21) and now I teach Jazz Dance at BYU. 

7. I love learning. I've been in college since 2008. I've taken two semesters off, have one degree in Fashion Design and will eventually  have my second degree in Business Management.

8. I LOVE black licorice ice cream. From Farr's. It is my guilty pleasure. So yummy. That and creme brulee are possibly my favorite desserts. And since we're on the topic of food. I love pickles - all kinds. I prefer salty over sweet usually. I hate the taste of mayo/miracle whip. And I am very impatient with food and though I am not very picky I don't like to eat the same dish too often. 

9. I have a REALLY hard time thinking of 11 things about myself... I was born in Oklahoma, moved to Michigan when I was 3, moved to Utah when I was 10, moved to NYC when I was 19, moved back to Utah when I was 21. (Will be moving back to NYC after finishing up school at BYU).

10. I enjoy being healthy. Working out and eating well make me extremely happy. It is so hard as a student to do these things so I do miss too many workouts and eat taco bell, french fries, and Cadbury Eggs  more than I should... I can't wait until I have the time and money to eat and workout how I please.

11. And if you are new and didn't already know - I love weddings!!! I am currently planning my own and making my wedding dress (which will be done on Wednesday!). I get married in 41 days. 

My Questions From Amanda:

1. Spring or Fall? Fall; I love the changing colors and the cool air. The tights and the boots. I don't love summer so I am always ready when it cools down.
2. Tell us the best book you've read recently. Eh... I read lots of text books... I haven't read a leisure book in a long time. I started "A Lucky Child" back in the fall when I was on a trip which is about a child from the Holocaust  I am intrigued by history. But I also love my Harry Potter, Twilight Series, Uglies Series, The Blue Bloods Series, etc. I also love Religious books. 
3. What's your #1 pet peeve? When ladies don't take the tack out of their flaps on their skirts and coats. I see it ALL TOO OFTEN. Drives me crazy. They are meant to be taken out. 
4. What's your favorite color palette? Right now it's my wedding colors. Golds, Champagnes  Sparkle, Navy, and Mint Green. 
5. Name your best childhood memory. Caroling, visiting my granny and grandpa, and getting new pajamas every Christmas Eve. And sledding on the golf course in our backyard. 
6. Are you a dog person or a cat person? Neither. I don't love any animals... sorry. I'm allergic to cats. My family didn't grow up with any pets. My fiance is allergic to all pet dander.  
7. If you had to live in a decade other than the current one, which would you choose and why? None, I am so grateful to live in this day and age. I really can't pick...
8. Do you prefer Chicago deep dish or New York style pizza? I should say NY since I lived there and their pizza is great but I think I prefer the deep dish. The bigger the better right?
9. What's your favorite thing about fashion? I just love  beautiful things. 
10. What/who inspired you to start blogging? I started blogging for my family when I moved to NYC when I was 19 (2009) and now I just have separated the personal from the fashion. I don't really know if anyone really inspired me. I just love dressing up. My friend Katie is the one who first told me I should start documenting my clothes - this was back in 2010 when I was working at J.Crew.
11. If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why? Taylor Swift. I just love her. I want to wear all her sparkly gowns. Or Jenna Lyons. Amazing. I met her once at NY Fashion Week. That was a good day. 

My Questions From Kelsey:

1. Why did you start blogging? See question 10 above. 
2. Where is your favorite place to go? Home. Bed. J.Crew. Anywhere with Taylor.  
3. What is your most favorite time of year? I am SO impatient. I would say my favorite time of year is the beginning of each season. Right when it cools of I am in heaven, but the first snow fall is AMAZING! And when the weather warms up it is so lovely outside, yet the hot summer nights are so perfect. I get so sick of the seasons though so just the first little bit of change is what is my favorite. 
4. If you could go to anyplace in the world where would you go? Italy. 
5. Where do you like to shop? Easy. J.Crew.
6. Who is your favorite artist? I really enjoyed Art History. I took 4 Art History/Humanities classes at BYU. I love the classical pieces and I remember really being drawn to Jan van Eyck's The Ghent Altarpiece. The detail is unreal and so spectacular.
7. What do you do for family time with your family? Play games. Ticket to Ride, Canasta, Mexican Train... 
8. What make-up item could you not live without? Chap stick. and Mascara. 
9. How do you like to style your hair? My hair is stick straight. So down and straight. But mostly I get annoyed with it so up and back in a ponytail. 
10. What is one of your favorite memories? Getting engaged to Taylor. Story here. 

My Questions For My Nominees:

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What is your career/day job? And/or dream job?
3. What are your favorite ways to relieve stress?
4. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
5. What puts the biggest smile on your face? 
6. Who are some of your favorite singers/bands?
7. What is one thing you'd like to do before you die?
8. What is one of your guilty pleasures? 
9. Who is your first phone call to after a bad day, and why?
10. What are 3 adjectives to describe you? 
11. How many siblings do you have?

My Nominees Are:

Kylie Rae @ Shimmer Me Pretty

Beth @ Fashion.Now
Potatoes and Pilates
Alex @ Adored By Alex

get to know me: Liebster Award

I was nominated twice this week for the Liebster Award! And I tried and tried to answer the questions and nominate more bloggers and I have come to realize that I have taken on way too much this semester with being a full-time student, working part time, while planning a wedding and trying to keep my life in check. This month I have SO many appointments, tests, and my wedding dress to finish before bridals on March 28th. SO... I will not be posting as much. I will still post when I have cute pictures but I hardly take pictures of my outfits anymore because I am always running late. So keep checking back, I will update at least twice a week. THEN this summer hopefully I can get back into the daily posts. Thanks for all your support!!

I will answer the questions from my blog friends who nominated me!

Style Honestly

1. Who is your favorite blogger? - Fashion blogs; Atlantic-Pacific (naturally - she always has GREAT pieces, and a new favorite is A Little Dash of Darling - she has amazing style and I love all of her outfits.

2. What are your hobbies outside of blogging? designing, sewing, dancing, creating, Pilates

3. What’s your favorite place to shop? J.Crew

4. What three words would you use to describe yourself? passionate, loving, creative

5. If you could go anywhere in the world free of charge, what would be your destination? Italy

6. Who is the person that has been most influential in your life? my mom and my fiance

7. How many siblings do you have? 2 brothers, 1 sister

8. Why did you start blogging? I started my personal blog in 2009 when I moved to Manhattan to document my adventures at fashion design school.

9. What is your favorite food? Mexican, french fries, creme brulee

10. What is your idea of a great day off? sleeping in, a massage, and relaxing with Taylor

11. What would you do with $1,000,000? spend some at J.Crew, and save the rest...

The Parlor Girl

My 11 Questions For My Nominees:

1. Morning or night person? Morning - I would love to fall asleep every night at 10 if I could.

2. What inspired you to start blogging? See question 8 above. Then I started adding my own creations and outfits into the mix because I love coming up with outfits and inspiring others. 

3. What is the craziest thing you have ever done? Moving to Manhattan alone, knowing absolutely no one when I was 19. 

4. Favorite book? I used to read ALL THE TIME!! but I don't have time anymore. I don't think I could pick just one. 

5. What puts the biggest smile on your face? My fiance hands down!! ... and GORGEOUS beaded gowns. 

6. What is your favorite season and why? Fall. I love winter clothes more than summer clothes and in fall I get so excited to start wearing them. 

7. What is your favorite store to shop at? J.Crew

8. Do you have a day job and what is it? I am a student. I am a Jazz Dance professor at BYU for the beginning and intermediate levels everyday, this is my 4th semester teaching. I am a bridal consultant at Avenia Bridal - have been for about 2 years.

9. Do you have a hidden talent and what is it? No, not really... I wish it was cooking.

10. One beauty product to take on a deserted island with you. I am SUPER low maintenance I don't even know. Lotion I guess. Jergen's Ultra Healing is what I have used everyday for years so I guess that... 

11. Do you workout and what type of workout? Pilates, weight lifting. No running.

Thank you to the sweet girls who nominated me!! 

Get to know me: Sunshine Blog Award edition

Life has been CRAZY busy lately. Everyday I think, "oh, tomorrow I will be less busy - I'll have more time for x, y, and z." But it never happens that way. Life just continues to get busier and busier. I am so behind on comments and posting so I apologize.

The fashion show was on Saturday and it was amazing. I will post about it in detail on aBree Original eventually - not sure when. This week is full of tests and papers/wedding planning/catching up/etc.

Here is my collection! All pieces (except for my navy shirt) are made and designed by me: aBree Original.

Sweet Jenna nominated me for the sunshine blog award last week and sadly I am just now getting around to it. I didn't even get time to do my weekly "get to know me" post - no one left me any questions to answer so I thought I'd answer these from the award! If you have any questions or things you'd like to know about me be sure to comment so that next week I can answer them!

Thanks Jenna! 

Q&A

Who is your favorite philosopher? The definition of a philosopher is: a person who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields, so I will go with my Savior Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite number? 8 - always had been since Junior High

What is your favorite animal? - Don't hate me... I'm not an animal person. I always answered this question growing up with, Monkey. I guess since I was a gymnast growing up I related to them... or something. I used to collect monkey stuffed animals - like tons of them! I still have a huge black monkey stuffed animal in my room. And I'm almost 23. I guess I will save it for my children. 

What is your favorite time of day? - When I get to sleep. Or cuddling with Taylor and relaxing since it doesn't get too happen often.

What do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter? - I don't have a twitter, it got popular after high school and I never caught on since none of my close friends really use it. My sister LOVES twitter though. I'm not huge into facebook either, I only got one when I moved to NYC in 2009 to keep in touch. I mostly just use it for Marketing. So I'll go with blogs.

What is your favorite holiday(s)? - Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas. In that order. I think we as people aren't grateful enough so I love Thanksgiving because it gives everyone a reason to reflect on what they have. Easter is special because of it's meaning. Celebrating Christ with out all the gifts and hallmark of Christmas. Plus who doesn't love finding eggs filled with candy - genius! And Christmas is just a beautiful time. My family really focuses on big family meals at each of these holidays followed by games and just being together and I love that time with them.

What is your favorite physical activity? - Pilates, yoga, dance, and weight lifting. Anything but cardio/running. I will get certified in Pilates if it is the last thing I do - I am in love with it. Yoga is nice for meditating and relaxing. Dance was my love in high school - sad that it is so much harder to find places to take class once you grow up. I still get to be around it everyday since I teach the beginning and intermediate levels here at BYU. And I love lifting weights. I love muscles. Mostly ab and bicep. That is what I focus on.

What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? - Water. I don't drink alcohol. Or coffee. Or really caffeine, carbonated beverages, and sugar filled things. Basically everyday I drink hot water with lemon and honey. A green smoothie. And a couple bottles of water.

What is your passion? - Designing. Weddings. Fashion. -Plain and simple

What is your favorite flower? - Anything my sweet fiance gets me. He is good at gifts - flowers and jewelry. I just like beautiful things.

You can't see but there is not one, but two bouquets here. A bright floral mixture of pinks and purples, and a dozen red roses. Is he not amazing? I am so spoiled. He just keeps reminding me that he is a proud fiance - such a sweetheart, I got so lucky with this one!

I was also featured on Plane Pretty for the Sunday Style Linky Party. Be sure to check out Jenny and her cute blog! It is the perfect way to find new bloggers and friends!

Remember to comment if there is anything you'd like to know about me!

Thanks for reading!

Sunday: get to know me

Each Sunday I will answer questions about myself. If there is anything you'd like to know about me leave a comment and on Sundays I will answer a few questions!

Questions:

Jenna: "What are your go-to outfits for a date night? Annnd chocolate or cake?"

Answers:

When it is warmer outside I LOVE dressing up so definitely heels. I also always try to pick certain pieces that my fiance likes or has given to me. And usually something sparkly.

I have a lame answer - probably neither. I like both but I would choose ice cream/creme brulee/pie/bread pudding/etc. over them. But if I have to choose I'd say chocolate. I used to be super into baked goods (I lived down the block from Magnolia Bakery in NYC for a while and was a frequent visitor) - but for some reason I am not so much anymore.

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I also want to thank Chelsea at Olive & Ivy for linking my blog on her "this week I loved" post!

"This whole blog, called aBree Fashion. She is an undiscovered style master, that's for sure. I love everything she wears! Fashionistas, you will want to be following this one."

Thank you Chelsea! Thank you Jenna for your question! and thank you everyone who stops by and follows along!! 

Sunday: get to know me

Each Sunday I will answer questions about myself. If there is anything you'd like to know about me leave a comment and on Sundays I will answer a few questions!

For frequent personal blog posts visit bree lena.